Pentobarbital

Pentobarbital is the generic name for the following medicines:

• Nembutal
• Pentosol
• Repocal
• Sopental

Symptoms of a pentobarbital overdose may include:

• Blurred or double vision, rapid side-to-side movement of eyes aslo, called nystagmus
• Coma however, its a decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness, tiredness, fainting
• Nausea
• Rash or blisters
• Shock that is, extremely low blood pressure
• Slowed or absent breathing
• Stupor which refers to decreased level of alertness
• Slurred speech
• Weakness, uncoordinated movement as well as a staggering gait (ataxia, seen commonly in children)

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Get the following information:

• The person’s age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product as well as the ingredients and strength, if known
• The time it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed
• If the medicine was prescribed for the person

However, Do not delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.

Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the pill container with you to the hospital, if possible.

The health care provider will measure and monitor vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Blood and urine tests
• Breathing support, including oxygen, a breathing tube through the mouth called intubation, and a breathing machine that is a ventilator
• Computerized axial tomography (CT, or advanced imaging) scan
• Chest x-ray
• ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Laxative
• Medicines to treat symptoms

How well the person does depends on the amount of drug swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. With proper treatment, people can recover in 1 to 5 days.

People who are in a prolonged coma or who have respiratory complications that is, those who develop shock may have permanent disabilities.