Amobarbital (Amytal)

Category:

• Sedative

Description:

• DEA Schedule II Sedative Hypnotic

Indications:

• Sedation, preanesthetic sedation

• Short-term (up to 2 weeks) treatment of insomnia

• Anticonvulsant

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to barbiturates, respiratory depression

• Severe liver impairment, porphyria

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category D

• Anemia, addiction to barbiturates, hepatic disease, COPD/emphasema

• Renal disease, hypertension, elderly, mental depression

• History of drug abuse, abrupt discontinuation

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: CNS depression, dizziness, drowsiness, hangover, lethargy, slurred speech, mental depression, physical dependence, stimulation in elderly and children, vertigo

• CV: bradycardia, hypotension

• GI: constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

• HEME: agranulocytosis, megaloblastic anemia, thrombocytopenia

• RESP: apnea, bronchospasm, depression, laryngospasm

• SKIN: angioedema, erythema multiforme, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, thrombophlebitis, urticaria  

Dosage:

Administered orally, intramuscularly, intravenously

• Adult: 

  • Preanesthetic sedation: 

    • PO/IM 200mg 1-2 hours preoperatively

  • Anticonvulsant/psychiatry: 

    • IV 65-500mg given over several minutes

    • not to exceed 100 mg/min

    • not to exceed 1g

  • Insomnia: 

    • PO/IM 65-200mg at bedtime

• Child > 6 years: 

  • Sedation: PO 2 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses

  • Anticonvulsant/psychiatry: 

    • IV 65-500mg given over several minutes

    • not to exceed 100 mg/min

    • not to exceed 1g

  •  Insomnia: IM 2-3 mg/kg at bedtime