INN monograph
Phenobarbitone
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- hyperthyroidism
- diabetes mellitus
- severe anaemia
- perform periodic laboratory evaluation of organ systems
- including hepatic, renal, and haemapoetic systems
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
By mouth 60-180mg at night. Child: 5-8mg/kg daily. By 1.V or I.M. 50-200mg repeated after 6 hours when required [max, 600mg daily]. Status epilepticus: 1.V at rate lower than 100mg/min [max. 15mg/kg].All forms of epilepsy except typical absence seizures. By mouth or by I.V injection, neonate, initially 20 mg/kg by slow intravenous injection then 2.55 mg/kg once daily either by slow intravenous injection or by mouth; dose and frequency adjusted according to response. By mouth, Child 1 month12 years initially 11.5 mg/kg twice daily, increased by 2 mg/kg daily as required; usual maintenance dose 2.54 mg/kg once or twice daily; Child 1218 years, 60180 mg once daily.
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Exfoliative dermatitis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- severe respiratory depression, apnea, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, or hypoten-sion may occur with intravenous administration
- prolonged barbiturate therapy may result in osteopenia or rickets
- barbiturate dependence
- drowsiness
- mental depression
- hyperkinesia in children
- paradoxical excitement
- lethargy
- restless and confusion in elderly.
Use
Indications
- All forms of epilepsies except absence seizures Clinical selection for Phenobarbitone should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
It acts as non-selective depressants CNS.
Full mechanism text
It acts as non-selective depressants CNS. Its action may be related to its ability to enhance and /or mimic the inhibitory synaptic action of gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA].
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbit | Incepta Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Phenbital | Dawa Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Phenobarbital, by Cosmos | Cosmos Limited. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Phenobarbitone, by Allied | Laboratory & Allied Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | 225.75 |
| Phenobarbitone, by Biodeal | Biodeal Laboratories Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Satal, Tasa | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Satal Forte, Tasa | Independent / Registered Supplier | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.