Butabarbital oral elixir

Butalbital APAP w/Caffeine
What is butabarbital oral elixir?
BUTABARBITAL (Butisolreg;) is a barbiturate that slows down activity of the brain and nervous system. Butabarbital has both sedative and hypnotic properties which means it will help you to relax and sleep. Butabarbital is only for short-term use of two weeks or less for treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Butabarbital can help produce relaxation and drowsiness before surgery. Federal law prohibits the transfer of butabarbital to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share your medicine with anyone else. Generic butabarbital oral elixir is available.

What should my health care professional know before I take butabarbital?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol or drug abuse problem
• breathing difficulties or lung disease
• attempted suicide
• heart disease
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• mental depression or mental problems
• porphyria
• an unusual or allergic reaction to butabarbital, other barbiturates, other medicines, foods, dyes (such as tartrazine), or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?
Take butabarbital elixir by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. If butabarbital upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Elderly patients over age 65 years may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

What if I miss a dose?
Butabarbital should only be taken as needed to induce sleep or relaxation. If you are on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with butabarbital?

• alcohol
• caffeine
• chloramphenicol
• chlorpromazine
• cyclophosphamide
• cyclosporine
• digitoxin
• doxorubicin
• doxycycline
• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
• methoxyflurane
• metronidazole
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for pain
• medicines that help the heart to beat regularly
• quinine
• seizure (convulsion) or epilepsy medicine
• steroid medicines such as prednisone or cortisone
• theophylline
• warfarin

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking butabarbital?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• bone tenderness
• confusion, agitation, changes in mood, or mental ability
• depression
• eye problems, very small or enlarged centers to the eyes
• lightheadedness, fainting spells
• fever, sore throat
• hallucinations
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
• skin rash, itching, hives
• slow heartbeat
• swelling of the face or lips
• unusual bleeding or bruising; pinpoint red spots on the skin
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight loss
• yellowing of skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• clumsiness, unsteadiness, or a “hangover” effect
• constipation
• difficulty sleeping or nightmares
• drowsiness, dizziness
• headache
• irritability, nervousness
• nausea or vomiting

What should I watch for while taking butabarbital?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. If sleep medicine is taken every night for a long time it may no longer help you to sleep. In most cases butabarbital should not be taken for longer than 1 or 2 weeks. Consult your prescriber or health care professional if you still have difficulty in sleeping. If you have been taking butabarbital regularly and suddenly stop taking it, you may get unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Your prescriber or health care professional may want to gradually reduce the dose. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber’s advice.

After taking butabarbital you may get a residual hangover effect that leaves you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how butabarbital affects you. To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase possible unpleasant effects. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Butabarbital can stop birth control pills (oral contraceptives) working properly. Use another method of birth control while you are taking butabarbital.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking butabarbital.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 85 degrees F). Keep tightly sealed to prevent evaporation. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.