Phenobarbital sodium

Chemical properties

Solution S is clear (2.2.1) and not more intensely coloured than reference solution Y7 (2.2.2, Method II).

The Uses of Phenobarbital sodium

Phenobarbital sodium salt has been used:

• to anesthetize mice for inducing ischemia-reperfusion injury
• as a positive control for the activation of constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)
• in bioluminescent yeast bioreporters (BLYAS) assay

The Uses of Phenobarbital sodium

Anticonvulsant; sedative-hypnotic.

Definition

ChEBI: A barbiturate that is the sodium salt of phenobarbital (barbituric acid substituted at C-5 by ethyl and phenyl groups).

brand name

Luminal Sodium (Sterling Winthrop).

General Description

Odorless white crystalline powder. Aqueous solutions are alkaline to litmus and phenolphthalein (pH approximately 9.3). Bitter taste. A narcotic.

Air & Water Reactions

Hygroscopic. May be sensitive to prolonged exposure to air. Water soluble. Aqueous solutions are unstable, but may be kept at or below 50°F for a few days.

Reactivity Profile

Phenobarbital sodium can react with strong oxidizing agents. Incompatible with ammonium salts and chloral hydrate. Also incompatible with acids and acidic substances .

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for Phenobarbital sodium are not available; however, Phenobarbital sodium is probably combustible.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Phenobarbital, a substituted barbituric acid is an antileptic drug and is not easily eliminated from circulation. It hyperpolarizes the synaptic neuronal membranes by favoring the activation of neuronal postsynaptic GABAA?receptors by γ aminobutyric acid (GABA). Phenobarbital is also effective in treating neonatal seizures and status epilepticus.

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic, neoplastigenic, tumorigenic, and teratogenic data. Poison by ingestion, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intraduodenal, and subcutaneous routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion: nausea or vomiting and coma. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. Used to treat epilepsy, as a hypnotic and sedative. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx and NazO. See also BARBITURATES