💊 Phenobarbitone Oral Liquid 20 mg/5 mL (p)
📌 1. Prescription / Indications:
Phenobarbitone Oral Liquid is prescribed for:
- Seizure control in infants, children, and adults
- Neonatal seizures
- Status epilepticus (maintenance phase after IV control)
- Epilepsy, especially generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizures
- May be used in febrile seizure prophylaxis (select cases)
📄 2. Description:
- Form: Oral liquid
- Strength: 20 mg Phenobarbitone per 5 mL
- Route: Oral
- Pharmacological class: Long-acting barbiturate anticonvulsant
- Taste: Slightly bitter; may be flavored for pediatric use
🔬 3. Nature / Drug Class:
- Class: Barbiturate
- Mechanism of Action: Potentiates GABA-mediated CNS inhibition; suppresses abnormal neuronal firing
- CNS depressant effect
🌟 4. Advantages:
- Flexible dosing for children and neonates
- Easier to administer than tablets in young patients or those with dysphagia
- Long duration of action allows once or twice daily dosing
- Reliable absorption and efficacy
- Used in resource-limited settings due to affordability and effectiveness
📦 5. Common Packaging:
| Packaging | Description |
|---|
| Amber glass/plastic bottle | 60 mL, 100 mL, or 200 mL |
| Oral syringe/spoon | Often provided with pediatric bottles |
| Label | Includes “(p)” to denote pediatric use |
🧊 6. Storage Conditions:
- Store at 15–30°C
- Protect from light and moisture
- Use within 1–2 months after opening
- Shake well before use
- Keep out of reach of children
👩⚕️ 7. Patient Advice:
- Administer at the same times daily to maintain steady drug levels
- Measure dose accurately using a syringe or spoon
- May cause drowsiness, especially initially – monitor alertness
- Avoid other sedatives or alcohol
- Do not stop suddenly; tapering is essential to prevent withdrawal seizures
- Monitor for:
- Skin rashes or allergies
- Breathing difficulty
- Excessive sedation or behavioral changes
🎯 8. Purpose / Clinical Use:
| Condition | Use |
|---|
| Neonatal seizures | First-line treatment |
| Pediatric epilepsy | Maintenance and prevention |
| Febrile seizures | Prevention (select patients) |
| Status epilepticus | Maintenance post IV treatment |
| Adult epilepsy (oral route) | Alternative to tablets |
⚠️ 9. Precautions / Warnings:
- Risk of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal
- Long-term use in children may affect cognition or behavior
- Caution in renal or hepatic impairment
- May interact with CYP450-metabolized drugs
- Use in pregnancy only if benefits outweigh risk (Pregnancy Category D)
