Note: This document contains side effect information about pentobarbital. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Nembutal Sodium.
Applies to pentobarbital: parenteral solution for injection.
Warning
Special Alerts:
A standardized concentration for this drug has been established through Standardize 4 Safety (S4S), a national patient safety initiative to reduce medication errors, especially during transitions of care. The drug is included in a standard concentration list which may apply to an IV or oral compounded liquid formulation. For additional information, see the ASHP website [Web].
Side effects include:
Residual sedation, drowsiness, lethargy, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, headache.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to pentobarbital: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule, oral elixir, rectal suppository.
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia, central nervous system (CNS) depression, dizziness, hyperkinesia, syncope
Frequency not reported: Headache[Ref]
Psychiatric
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, confusion, dizziness, hallucination, nervousness, nightmares, psychiatric disturbance[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation, nausea, vomiting[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apnea, hypoventilation[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, hypotension[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Exfoliative dermatitis, skin rashes[Ref]
Hematologic
Megaloblastic anemia occurred with chronic phenobarbital use.[Ref]
Frequency not reported: Megaloblastic anemia[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Liver damage[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Fever[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Injection site reactions[Ref]
