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

 

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  


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