Description

        Anti-seizure medication.  May cause liver toxicity.  May increase or decrease the effect of certain drugs.

        When animals have frequent seizures, medication becomes necessary.  In the dog and cat, phenobarbital is probably the first choice for seizure suppression.  It is effective, safe if used responsibly, and is one of the least expensive medications in all of veterinary practice.  Since treatment with phenobarbital is generally life-long, monitoring blood tests are periodically recommended.

        Most often phenobarbital is used to suppress epileptic seizures (i.e. seizures for which a cause has not been identified) but phenobarbital can also be used against seizures due to brain tumors, poisonings, or infection as well.

        Phenobarbital is absorbed well into the body when given orally and its peak activity occurs 4-8 hours after the pill is given.

        When phenobarbital is started, it takes 2-4 weeks to reach a stable blood level and cannot be fully relied upon to prevent seizures until this period has elapsed.  It is usual to run a blood phenobarbital level at the end of this period to determine how the pet is absorbing the medication.

What are the side effects?

        Excessive thirst and urination and excessive appetite are not uncommon side effects of phenobarbital.  If they occur, they do not generally go away as the patient adjusts to medication.  If they are severe, medication may have to be changed.

        It is not unusual for some patients to demonstrate depression or sedation when phenobarbital therapy is initiated.  This effect is generally transient and resolves as the patient acclimates to the medication.  If this problem has not resolved after two weeks, a phenobarbital blood level can be drawn to determine if the dose is too high for the individual in question.  Running a blood level sooner may not be useful as it takes a couple of weeks to achieve a stable and meaningful blood level.

        Rarely, anemia (lack of red blood cells) can occur with phenobarbital exposure.  Should this occur, a different seizure mediation should be selected.

        Chronic exposure to phenobarbital can lead to scarring in the liver and liver failure that can be irreversible.  Proper monitoring tests are geared for heading off such an event in plenty of time to change medication.

Monitoring

        Phenobarbital is able to "induce" the metabolic enzymes, thus making them more efficient at removing toxins.  Part of this phenomenon involves elevation of liver enzyme tests on a blood panel.  As previously mentioned, monitoring by periodic blood testing is important in catching any impending liver problems while they are still insignificant but this is complicated because elevations in liver enzymes occur with normal phenobarbital usage.

        There are many monitoring protocols.  Our hospital recommends a phenobarbital blood level 3-4 weeks after starting phenobarbital followed by a similar phenobarbital level every 6 months.  We also run liver screening tests to accompany the phenobarbital level.

What special Precautions are there?

        Phenobarbital is removed from the body primarily by the liver (75% is removed by the liver, 25% by the kidney).  As mentioned, in the liver, phenobarbital has a unique ability to "induce" the microsomal enzymes, which means in more simple terms that chronic exposure to phenobarbital makes the liver more efficient at removing other toxins.  Other medications which will not work as well in the presence of phenobarbital include: lysodren (treatment for Cushing's disease), chloramphenicol (an antibiotic), corticosteroids (such as prednisone, dexamethasone), doxycycline (an antibiotic), cardiac beta-blockers, quinidine (a heart rhythm medicine), theophylline (an airway dilator), and metronidazole (a multi-purpose antibiotic/GI medicine).  They will not work as well because they are removed from the body much faster than usual by the phenobarbital induced enzymes.

        Phenobarbital's activity can be enhanced by concurrent administration of the following medications: chloramphenicol (an antibiotic), any anti-histamine associated with drowsiness, or any other sedative or tranquilizer.

        Rifampin, a special antibiotic, may reduce the effectiveness of phenobarbital when the two are used concurrently.

        If phenobarbital is used with griseofulvin (treatment for ringworm), the griseofulvin may not be absorbed optimally into the body and may not be as effective.

        When unacceptable side effects develop with phenobarbital use, phenobarbital dose may be substantially cut back or even discontinued.  Potassium bromide can be used as a seizure control medication in such cases.

        Primidone is another anti-seizure medication that was once more popular in the past.  The live converts primidone to phenobarbital thus it is generally more efficient (and less expensive) to simply use phenobarbital.  Further, if there is any question about liver functions in a seizure patient, phenobarbital is likely to be a better choice.

Concerns and Cautions

        MISSING EVEN ONE PHENOBARBITAL DOSE CAN BE ENOUGH TO TRIGGER A SEIZURE.  It is very important to comply fully with medication recommendations.

        Because of the induction of microsomal enzymes previously mentioned, it is normal to see elevated liver enzymes ("AST", "ALP", and "ALT") on any blood chemistry that is performed.  This makes interpretation of these values somewhat difficult.  The blood level of phenobarbital attained in an individual is not completely predictable by knowing the oral dose given.  With time, the patient's liver becomes especially able to remove phenobarbital from the system and the level may go down.  Or the opposite may be true and the liver becomes less efficient so that blood level goes up.  For these reasons, blood levels of phenobarbital are periodically measured so as to periodically adjust the oral dose as noted above.

        In patients with poor liver function or liver failure, phenobarbital may not be the best choice in seizure control.

        The use of phenobarbital will interfere with thyroid function testing as well as with adrenal function testing.  Monitoring hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease in patients taking phenobarbital is extremely difficult as test results will be difficult to interpret.

        This information is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian.  The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet.  You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advise concerning the treatment of your pet.

        The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet.  It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for service provided by your veterinarian.

You may request a refill of your pet's prescription; however, submitting this form does not guarantee that the medicine will be refilled.  All refills are reviewed by a doctor before being filled.  If there is an issue, one of our staff members will contact you.  When your prescription is ready for pick up we will contact you at your preferred method of contact.

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Last modified: 05/03/07