Generic Name: Phenobarbital for Seizures (phenobarbital)
Phenobarbital for Seizures Reviews
"I started taking phenobarbital back in the early '80s when I had a seizure and haven't had one since. They first started me on Dilantin and Tegretol, but none of these worked, even taking both of them together did nothing. The first dose of phenobarbital, 100 mg at night, that I took, and I was seizure-free. Lately, these new doctors have tried taking me off of it for newer medications, but the newer meds have horrible side effects, which I do not get with phenobarbital. Heck, I never had any side effects with phenobarbital. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I'll take my 60-year-old medication any day over these newer ones like Keppra."
"Started taking in 1973, now I’m 66 years old. Yes, we all hear this is an old drug. I am also on 2 other seizure meds. Completely under control! No issue with phenobarbital! Tried to wean off one time in my life, and that was a big mistake. So, give me the phenobarbital! Take my dose at night. If you are on it, stay on it!"
"I have been taking phenobarbital since the 1980s. I tried many other meds first, and the side effects were terrible. Finally, my neurosurgeon decided to try phenobarbital. It made me very drowsy at first. I take it at bedtime. It has worked for me for decades. Every time I see a doctor, I get the same old 'that's an old drug. We should change it.' NO THANK YOU. The insurance company wants me to try 'step therapy.' They don't know what they are doing. You can't just switch these meds. You have to wean off. I pay full price. Thank goodness it doesn't break the bank. Great medication, even if it is old."
"I have been on phenobarbital for 35 years as well. Worked very well. Doctors kept saying the drug is hard on the body and I should change it. So one day I listened and started taking lamotrigine. It was the worst move ever in my life. I had issues the entire time on them, and seizures got worse. I finally went back to phenobarbital after a long, very rough year and have not been the same since. If it works, don't change it."
"I have had a seizure disorder since the age of 15 and am now 50 years old. I have been on phenobarbital the entire time until just recently. My state (Michigan) instituted an across the board requirement for all people on controlled drugs to take a mandatory urine drug test and physical, the cost of which is not covered by insurance. Last year, I paid $300 out of pocket just to be able to get my prescription filled. So, this year, I decided I would try to save some cash and asked my doctor to put me on a drug that wasn't on the list of controlled substances. We decided on Keppra, and I took it for one week. BIG mistake! I had severe dizziness, couldn't sleep and felt like I was having auras all day and night. Luckily, I didn't have any seizures on Keppra, but my problems vanished when my doctor put be back on phenobarbital. Phenobarbital may be a controlled substance and costly to get in Michigan due to the drug testing requirements but it sure works well for me."
"I have taken phenobarbital medication prescribed by my Dr. for over three decades and if taken daily at the same time or one hour earlier or later from the previous day it works very well. Now what I have noticed is that if you take your medication the following day and are 4 - 6 hours late you might have a seizure due to fact that the medication drop significantly. This is why you must take medication daily at approximately the same time in order for medication to work very well. One more fact your medication levels will need to be checked periodically in order for the medication to work. Think of medication as chlorine in a pool of water and the chlorine must be enough and checked often in order for pool water be clean and clear."
"I am now 78 yrs old. Have taken 15mg in AM, 30mg at PM since 1960's. December 13 Neurologist told me to eliminate the AM, take only PM. 'Because it might affect my liver.' Dizziness on December 18,19, 20. December 21, chest pains, December 23 to ER for chest pains. Given Imdur. ER scheduled Stress Test, It showed no heart condition. Dec 30,chest pains again. ER doctor suggested med for Vertigo. Slight relief. Cardiologist suggested a MRI but suspected it was withdrawal of Phenobarbital. Cardiologist said to contact Neurologist who did not return my call 'because she was on vacation.' Pharmacist called her office, got original Phenobarbital and I felt immediate relief. Lesson: you know your own body!"
"Had GrandMal seizure early 1980s. No seizures before. Started on Phenytoin & Phenobarbital added later. Neurologist decided it was "old time medicine", switched me to Topamax. Felt weird, doc did nothing. In 5 months I blacked out walking down sidewalk of major road. Totaled car on interstate at rush hour. Blacked out standing at work. Every time I awoke in hospital. I refused to leave hospital last time saying "I want my old time medicine back that works for me or I will live in hospital lobby". I got old time meds back and fired doc. I know my body. Cash price Pheno in 1980s was maybe $5. Now $100. Why? But I will pay to remain seizure free!"
"Had epilepsy since 14 now way over 60 and been on phenobarbitone all my life. Doctors have tried new ones on me but they had side effects whereas Phenobarbitone have been good for me. Epanutin caused gums shrinking and were bad for my liver. Now been put on Keppra and I cannot keep awake and ear hurts. Docs leave my pills alone please."
"It has worked for me. Other seizure medications caused me severe side effects. It does make me sleepy, so I take it prior to going to bed at night. Otherwise, no side effects or alterations in behavior."
"I have been taking it for 15 years and no major side effects. Even took it while pregnant. The doctors recommended it as a safe medicine to control seizures, and my baby was fine and I was fine. Thank God!"
"I have taken phenobarbital since I was 4 years old .25mg. They raised it 15 years ago to .34mg. Doc. Told me the .25 wasn't doing anything for me and took me off it. 9 months later I had a grand mal seizure and went back on to phenobarbital. I don't want anything else. My sister 2 times has asked what I'm on for friends of hers who son has seizure and they couldn't get them under control. He is now doing good on phenobarbital."
"On phenobarbital from age of 2 to 8, because I passed out in the high chair, probably hyperventilated. I was giving dose before bed every night. I couldn't fall asleep till nearly morning. As an adult, on meth for 20 years. I don't know if there is a connection or not, but no one else in my family is an addict. I don't mean to whine, just telling my experience."
"I have been taking phenobarbital 100 mg since 1975. Many doctors have tried to get me off of it for newer drugs but if it ain't broke don't fix it. I was taking 400mg a day and was seizure-free. I finally went down to three a day. The biggest problem I have been having is the pharmacy has to order it every month the same pharmacy that for the last 20 years have carried 6 months at a time and the last year they not only did not know how to count but when I say something about it they say I'm lying. However, the ww458 phenobarbital works very well"
"I took this for 15 years. Controlled the seizures. Some side effects were good.. Low resting pulse, low blood pressure-almost too low. I slept well. Other side effects were worrisome. Bloodwork at annual physicals showed increasing levels of liver enzyme AST, cholesterol- both good and had. Also anemia started showing showing. So I asked neurologist for a change. Lamictal now for 4 years. Other side effects."
"Our pug started having seizures at age 1. They progressively got worse while on the levetiracetam. He was getting a monthly cluster of 14 grand mal seizures in a 24-hour period. His seizures have gotten much better since he got on phenobarbital. The other game changer was to also give him gabapentin immediately after his first seizure when it was safe to do so. He has been seizure-free for 14.5 months! The last time he seized up, he had only 4 seizures over 24 hrs instead of 14. Taking him off wheat may also have helped. The phenobarbital saved us from having to put him down."
Luminal (phenobarbital) "No real severe side effects, and works well with no mood-altering properties. Recommended+"
"I'm taking it since 1966 without any side effects."
Luminal (phenobarbital) "Taking for over 20 years. Controls generalized seizure activity. No known side effects. Took during pregnancy w/ little issue (child had to be weaned off after birth)."
"Taken this medicine for decades and so far no side effects or damage to the liver. Works very well if taken daily at or near the exact time."
"I have never had side effects nor adverse reactions when taking phenobarbital. I take it responsibly, as directed. I have been on it for at least 60 years."
"My son has been taking phenobarbital after having his first seizure at age 5 he is now 28."
"IDK but ever since iIve had a seizure and started taking this medicine, i feel sad, irritable, and angry. but it works! I've never had a second seizure!"
"It was ok at first but the second day I couldn’t stop shaking"
"Excellent anti seizures w/o Benzodiazepine. Benzo withdrawal is a nightmare This is a much better medication"
More about phenobarbital
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (35)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: barbiturate anticonvulsants
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Phenobarbital drug information
- Phenobarbital (Advanced Reading)
- Phenobarbital Tablets
- Phenobarbital Elixir
- Phenobarbital Injection
Other brands
Luminal
Professional resources
- Phenobarbital monograph
- Phenobarbital (FDA)
- Phenobarbital Elixir (FDA)
- Phenobarbital Oral Solution (FDA)
- Phenobarbital Sodium Injection (FDA)
- Phenobarbital Tablets (FDA)
Other brands
Sezaby
Related treatment guides
- Hyperbilirubinemia
- Seizures
- Sedation
- Epilepsy
- Insomnia
