Healthy sleep in our time is the prerogative of a few. In the world, thousands of people experience problems falling asleep, "tormenting" the pillow every night and, as a result, get enough sleep. Of course, some ordinary valerian helps some, but if a person is inclined at night to think about his business, then this tool is unlikely to help. Then they turn to "heavy artillery" - barbiturates. For example, the substance phenobarbital.
Instructions for use say that recently, more and more attention has been paid to the effect of phenobarbital on epileptic patients, their number of episodes of seizures is decreasing. And to calm and fall asleep, the medicine is now prescribed less and less. Its effects are too serious. And barbiturates can form dependence, they are dangerous in case of an overdose, therefore, in many states special recipes are required in order to purchase phenobarbital in a pharmacy.
The instructions for use also mention chorea among the indications, that is, a disease in which case movements are uncoordinated and uncontrolled. Patients with epilepsy are given a medicine for a long time. How much phenobarbital should be used? The dosage is from 0.1 to 0.5 g, but it is not recommended to exceed the dosage of 0.2 g at a time. However, in a normal state this medicine will not be sold without a prescription, and doctors try not to get involved with barbiturates, except in cases of epilepsy . Quite a lot of attempts to commit suicide are associated with this particular medicine, so it is taken under special control.
What is the mechanism of action of this drug? It simply suppresses cellular respiration, more precisely, does not allow energy from cellular respiration to go to the needs of the body. It turns out that the body "works" in a saving mode, and mental activity is suppressed. This explains the hypnotic effect. In addition, impulses in the brain begin to be transmitted much more slowly, which reduces the likelihood of an epileptic seizure.
With epilepsy, in no case should phenobarbital be abruptly withdrawn, since symptoms can instantly return and even intensify. Therefore, either a replacement for this medicine is immediately introduced, or the doctor is on the way to gradually reducing the dose. It is not recommended to prescribe other sleeping pills or sedatives at the same time as this medicine, because severe respiratory depression, up to death, is possible. By the way, to a potential suicide - the survivors said that they were excruciatingly short of air. So if you dream of a painless suicide path - this method is extremely difficult. In addition, in the case of “good luck”, you will still bring a doctor and a pharmacist under the monastery , since in these cases a thorough investigation is being conducted into how phenobarbital fell into the hands of the deceased.
Instructions for use indicate that over time, the effect of the drug becomes weaker, therefore, in principle, you need to be prepared to change the medicine to another, since you can increase the dose only within certain limits. And in this situation, the doctor often finds dependence on the drug phenobarbital.
The instruction for use recommends a very strict attitude to the amount of the drug being taken, without ever arbitrarily increasing it, since the formation of a psychological dependence is possible. For example, Marilyn Monroe suffered from her, according to some versions, this caused the death of the great actress. The phenobarbital is insidious.
Side effects include drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, and hyper excitation (in children). These drug effects are common. But if you have difficulty breathing or swelling appears, stop taking the drug and consult your doctor immediately.
In case of an overdose, only an ambulance will help, so call immediately if you find a loved one in an unconscious state. Tell the operator that your loved one is drinking phenobarbital.