PENTOBARBITAL SODIUM (Generic for NEMBUTAL SODIUM)

Pentobarbital Sodium 50mg/1mL, Solution for injection

Caffeine-containing Foods/Beverages

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: Caffeine may cause sleeplessness, so if you are taking a Barbiturate to help you sleep, you may wish to avoid taking caffeine and caffeine-containing foods like colas, coffee, teas, or chocolates within several hours prior to bedtime. Barbiturates may also decrease the actions of Caffeine; if you have a high intake of caffeinated foods or beverages you may experience a headache or irritability from decreased caffeine levels while taking these drugs until your body adjusts. If you take Caffeine for other purposes, notify your health care provider if you think Caffeine is not working as well for you.

· Notes for Professionals: Caffeine has been reported to increase the metabolism of barbiturates, and barbiturates increase caffeine elimination. Higher caffeine doses may be needed after barbiturate administration.

Pentobarbital Sodium 50mg/1mL, Solution for injection

Cannabis

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Discuss cannabis use with your care team. The effects of cannabis may be altered if used with your medication. Call emergency services right away if you experience slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, or trouble staying awake.

· Notes for Professionals: Advise patients to avoid cannabis use during barbiturate treatment due to the risk for additive CNS depression and other adverse reactions. Concomitant use may also decrease the concentration of some cannabinoids and alter their effects. The cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are CYP3A substrates and barbiturates are strong CYP3A inducers. Concomitant use of a cannabinoid product containing THC and CBD at an approximate 1:1 ratio with another strong CYP3A inducer decreased THC, 11-OH-THC, and CBD peak exposures by 36%, 87%, and 52% respectively.

Pentobarbital Sodium 50mg/1mL, Solution for injection

Alcohol

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Drinking alcohol while taking this medication can cause serious side effects, such as central nervous system (CNS) depression, and can increase the risk of falling. Call emergency services right away if you experience symptoms of CNS depression: slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake.

· Notes for Professionals: Advise patients to avoid alcohol consumption while taking CNS depressants. Alcohol consumption may result in additive CNS depression.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>