Amobarbital helps you to sleep if you have problems sleeping (also known as insomnia).
This medicine may also be used to help you relax during surgical and dental procedures.
Amobarbital may also be used to treat other conditions, as decided by your doctor.
Amobarbital injection is to be given intravenously (into the vein) or intramuscularly (into the muscles). Have the solution administered at bedtime.
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have:
- liver disease
- lung disease e.g. shortness of breath
- Porphyria (an inherited disorder that may cause skin or nerve problems)
as Amobarbital may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following:
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- depression or suicidal tendencies
- history of drug or alcohol abuse
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For as long as you are taking Amobarbital, your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Practise good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on sleeping pills. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:
- Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
- Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
- Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
- Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drink include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
- Avoid taking naps especially in the late afternoon.
Amobarbital may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, difficulty sleeping, nervousness, and reaction at the injection site (e.g. redness, itching, pain).
Let your doctor know if you experience:
- confusion and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being aggressive, agitated, or depressed)
- abnormality in thinking
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. valproic acid, phenytoin
- antibiotics e.g. doxycycline
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. griseofulvin
- other sleeping pills e.g. midazolam
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Amobarbital.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Throw away remaining solution after 30 minutes.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.