Dosing and uses of Seconal (secobarbital)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
capsule: Schedule II
- 100mg
Hypnotic
Short-term treatment:100 mg PO qHs
Do not administer for more than 2 weeks
Pre-procedure Sedation
200-300 mg PO 1-2 hours before surgery
Renal Impairment
Administer lower dose
Hepatic Impairment
Administer lower dose
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
capsule: Schedule II
- 100mg
Sedative
6 mg/kg PO divided q8hr
Pre-procedure Sedation
2-6 mg/kg PO 1-2 hours before surgery, no more than 100 mg dose
Geriatric dosage forms and strengths
Not recommended
Seconal (secobarbital) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Somnolence
Dizziness
Ataxia
Anxiety
Constipation
Headache
Irritability
N/V
Nightmares
Hallucinations
Bleeding
Fever
Rash
Warnings
Contraindications
Barbiturate hypersensitivity
Porphyria
Liver disease
Severe respiratory disease
Renal impairment
Sleep apnea
Alcoholism
Drug dependence
Suicidal tendencies
Cautions
Causes CNS depression and impairs mental and physical abilities
Cay cause hyperactivity and agitation
Use with caution in patients with depression, hepatic or renal impairment, cardiovascular diseases, or respiratory diseases
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: d
Lactation: secreted in breast milk; use with caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Seconal (secobarbital)
Mechanism of action
Depress reticular activating system & cerebellar function
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life elimination: 28 hr
Duration: 3-4 hr
Vd: 1.5 L/kg
Onset: 15-30 min (hypnosis)
Excretion: Urine
Protein Bound: 45-60%
Metabolism: hepatic microsomal enzymes, glucuronidationExcretion: mostly urine as metabolites (<5% unchanged)
Enzymes induced: Primarily CYP2C9/10; CYP2C8, CYP2C9
