Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant, hypnotic and sedative, which may be commercially known as Gardenal, used to prevent the onset of seizures in individuals with epilepsy.
Gardenal is produced by Sanofi Laboratories and can be purchased at pharmacies in the form of adult tablets and drops for adult and pediatric use.
Price of the Gardenal
The price of the Gardenal ranges from 4 to 8 reais.
Indications of the Gardenal
Gardenal is indicated to prevent the onset of seizures in individuals with epilepsy, as well as to prevent seizures of other origins.
How to use Gardenal
The way of using Gardenal consists of:
- Adults : 2 to 3 mg / kg / day in single or fractional dose, in tablets or drops;
- Children : 3 to 4 mg / kg / day in single or fractional doses, only in drops.
The efficacy of treatment and evaluation of dose adjustment should be made after 15 days of treatment. In addition, the dose of Gardenal should be reduced in the elderly, alcoholics and in patients with impaired renal and hepatic function.
Side Effects of Gardenal
Side effects of Gardenal include drowsiness, difficulty speaking or waking up, coordination and balance problems, dizziness, headache, reddened skin lesions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hepatitis, fever, joint pain, mood disorders, megaloblastic anemia, bone diseases, osteoporosis, nausea and vomiting.
In addition, prolonged treatment with phenobarbital may cause dependence.
Contraindications of Gardenal
Gardenal is contraindicated during lactation in patients with porphyria, severe respiratory insufficiency, severe hepatic or renal impairment, in patients using saquinavir and ifosfamide and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to barbiturates.
Gardenal is also contraindicated with the use of alcohol, estrogens and progestogen used as contraceptives.
