DRUG | SUPPLIED | DOSE | COMMENTS |
---|---|---|---|
PHENOBARBITAL (Paeds) (Phenobarb) Mechanism of action: Anticonvulsant; barbiturate. Ref: 44, 336, 557 Last update: 2022-08-25 |
tablet: 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg elixir: 5 mg/mL - AVOID USING DUE TO ALCOHOL CONTENT injection: 30 mg/mL ampoule 120 mg/mL ampoule (injection contains propylene glycol and benzyl alcohol) |
Status Epilepticus: Children: 20 mg/kg/dose IV (Max: 1000 mg/dose). May give an additional load of 5-10 mg/kg/dose after 10 min. Initial Maintenance for Seizures: < 12 years old: 2.5 mg/kg/dose PO/IV Q12H or 5 mg/kg/dose PO/IV Q24H > 12 years old: 1.5 mg/kg/dose PO/IV Q12H or 3 mg/kg/dose PO/IV Q24H (Usual dosing range is 3-8 mg/kg/24 hr according to serum monitoring and clinical response) |
Avoid if allergy to aromatic hydrocarbons. For oral dosing, it is preferable to crush tablets instead of using liquid, as liquid is very unpalatable and contains 14% alcohol. Rapid IV injection may cause respiratory depression or hypotension. See Parenteral Manual. Phenobarbital induces hepatic enzymes thus decreases serum levels of many drugs (e.g. anticonvulsants). Refer to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in References and Supplementary (white pages in hard copy). Standard Prescription: phenobarbital __mg IV x 1 loading dose (__mg/kg/dose), then __mg IV __(frequency) {PRN} (__mg/kg/dose) phenobarbital __mg PO Q__H (__mg/kg/24 hr) |