Phenobarbitone is a restricted medication, and must be ordered using the red bag and book system, and stored in the locked restricted drug cupboard.

• Loading doses are charted in mg/dose on stat page of prescription chart.
• Maintenance doses are charted on prescription chart in mg/dose.

Administration

Slow IV Infusion

1. Dilute to 20 mg in 1 mL:
   1. Using a 10 ml syringe draw up 9ml Water for Injection.
   2. In a 2 ml syringe, using a 23 gauge needle, draw up 200 mg (1 ml) phenobarbitone. Measure exactly as there is often overage in the ampoules.
   3. Add to the Water for Injection to make 20 mg/ml. Mix well.
   4. Draw up dose from this 20mg/ml phenobarbitone.
   5. Discard the remaining contents of the 10 ml syringe containing phenobarbitone 20 mg/ml down the sink.
2. Filter prior to administration through a Pall 0.2 micron filter.
3. Administer by slow IV infusion (do NOT exceed 1 mg/kg/minute) using a syringe pump.
4. Compatible with glucose 5%, glucose 10%, and sodium chloride 0.9%. No data available on IVN.
5. Do NOT mix with other drugs, IV solutions, blood or blood products.
6. Flush line before and after administration of phenobarbitone.

1. Can be administered with food.

Observation and Documentation

1. Monitor for barbiturate toxicity signs (laboured breathing, cyanosis, clammy skin, hypotension).
2. Nurse on cardiorespiratory monitor.
3. Monitor vital signs and document.
4. Observe for and document seizure activity.

Storage

IV/IM Preparation

• Unopened ampoule at room temperature in restricted drug cupboard
• Discard, as above, immediately after use

Oral preparation

• Follow instructions on bottle label

Selected References