"Luminal": instructions for use by newborns

What is Luminal? The instructions and indications of this medication will be discussed below. Also, we will talk about the pharmacological properties of this medication, its side effects and contraindications.

Composition of the drug and form of release

What does the "Luminal" medication contain? Instruction for use reports that the composition of this drug includes an active ingredient, such as phenobarbital. Also contemplated means includes the following additional constituents: potato starch, gelatin, talc and calcium stearate.

The drug "Luminal", the testimony of which is presented below, goes on sale in the form of a powder intended for the preparation of an injection solution. Also, this agent can be purchased in the form of tablets of 100 mg, which are packaged in contour cells and paper packages, respectively.

Therapeutic action of the drug

What is a medicine like Luminal? Instruction for use asserts that this drug has sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects.

The drug in question is capable of exerting a depressing effect (non-selective) on the human nervous system, as well as suppressing certain areas (often sensory) of the cerebral cortex, reducing motor activity, developing sedation and drowsiness.

The drug "Luminal", the instruction for its use is in a paper bundle, is a very strong barbiturate. His sedative-hypnotic properties are due to the inhibition of cell activity, which activate the reticular formation of the thalamus nuclei, the brain stem, thereby inhibiting the interaction of these structures with the cerebral cortex.

Features of the medicine

What is remarkable about the drug "Luminal"? Instructions for use (newborns this drug is prescribed very often) states that the sleep caused by this barbiturate, in comparison with the physiological, has a completely different structure. As a rule, the development of a hypnotic effect after the use of this drug develops in 35-65 minutes and persists for 6-9 hours.

One can not help saying that the agent under consideration shows pronounced anticonvulsant properties. They are caused by the effect of the drug on certain zones of the nervous system. With the use of this medication in patients, the excitability of neurons in the epileptogenic zone decreases, which prevents the appearance and spread of impulses. Also against the background of the application of "Luminal" there is a blocking of high-frequency discharges of neurons, an increase in the threshold of electrical stimulation in the motor regions of the cerebral cortex.

Among other things, this medication is characterized by a small anesthetic and antihyperbilirubinemic effect. Also, strengthening of the body's reactions to pain stimuli is not ruled out.

Small dosages of "Luminal" have a calming effect, while high doses of breathing, centers of the medulla oblongata, etc.,

Kinetic features

Is the drug "Luminal" absorbed? Instruction for use informs that inside the organism it undergoes a slow and full absorption. The bioavailability of this agent is approximately 80%, and the connection with plasma proteins is about 30%.

The active component of this drug penetrates into the mother's milk, and also through the placenta. In addition, it is able to be distributed in the tissues of the fetus.

Excretion of "Luminal" occurs through the kidneys in an unchanged form and in the form of metabolites. Phenobarbital is characterized by a rather pronounced cumulation. Disturbed kidney function causes prolongation of its action.

The drug "Luminal": indications for use

This medication is prescribed not only for adults, but also for newborn children. As a rule, it is used when:

• Hyperbilirubinemia;
• Epilepsy;
• Tetanus (for adjuvant therapy);
• Therapy of acute convulsive attacks.

It should also be said that this remedy can be prescribed in combination therapy as a sedative in order to eliminate anxiety, fear and tension.

Prohibitions to use

Now you know, under what conditions patients are prescribed a drug "Luminal". Indications for the use of this medication were listed above. As for contraindications, they are referred to as:

• High sensitivity to the drug;
• Severe kidney and liver damage;
• Various forms of porphyria;
• Lactation and pregnancy.

"Luminal" medication: instruction manual for children and adults

The use of this medication should be strictly according to the indications. Its use requires the selection of a personal therapy regimen, dosage, and duration, which depends not only on the type of disease occurring, but also on the patient's age and other characteristics.

According to the instructions, the average single dose of the drug in question for adults is 10-200 mg. Take these pills should be 1-3 times a day.

With regard to newborn babies, the dosage of medicament is calculated taking into account the body weight (1-10 mg / kg of weight thrice a day).

If the infusion is used to treat diseases, the dosage for adults is 100-1400 mg (for intravenous infusion) or 10-200 mg (for intramuscular injection).

Calculation of the child's dose of the drug in question is also performed taking into account the weight of the child.

According to experts, after the intravenous administration of Luminal, its maximum effect is achieved within 35 minutes.

Adverse events

Does the drug Luminal affect the human body in a negative way? Instruction for use (from an allergy is not prescribed) claims that when treating this medication, the patient may develop various side effects that affect all important organs and systems. Undesirable symptoms are manifested by weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, depression and ataxia. It is also possible to develop thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, allergic reactions and calcium metabolism disorders.

Cases of overdose

When overdosing with Luminal, patients often have headaches, nystagmus, dizziness, ataxia, breathing problems, inhibition, weakness, speech disorders, drowsiness, changes in body temperature, agitation, AD malfunctions and the like. In more complex cases, there are bradycardia or tachycardia, pulmonary edema, confusion, arrhythmia, coma, pneumonia and so on.

To eliminate such symptoms, gastric lavage is prescribed, as well as detoxification treatment.

Drug Interactions

The use of this agent in combination with drugs that inhibit HC, methylphenidate or MAO inhibitors increases the concentration of its active substance in the plasma, which leads to increased toxic effects and inhibition of HC.

The combination of Luminal with GCS, chloramphenicol, corticotropin, dacarbazine, cyclosporine, digitalis glycosides, quinidine, metronidazole, tricyclic antidepressants, carbamazepine, anti-seizure drugs belonging to the succinimide group, doxycycline, anticoagulants, chlorpromazine, phenoprofen, vitamin D and phenylbutazone can reduce the duration The action and intensity of these drugs, increase their metabolism, as well as the burden on the liver.

Parallel treatment with acetazolamide can contribute to the development of rickets and osteomalacia. Valproic acid increases the concentration of phenobarbital in the blood, which causes a pronounced sedation and lethargy.

The use of "Luminal" together with nimodipine, "Verapamil" and felodipine reduces their concentration in the blood.

The combination of this drug with maprotilin increases its inhibitory effect on the NS, reduces the anticonvulsant effect of barbiturates and the convulsive threshold.

The active component "Luminal" can reduce the effectiveness of paracetamol and promote the development of hepatotoxicity. When combined with folic acid, the effectiveness of phenobarbital decreases.

Pyridoxine reduces the concentration of phenobarbital in the blood, and felbamate and primidone, on the contrary, increase it.

Analogues of the drug and its price

The main analogues of the drug in question are such drugs as "Burbinal" and "Dormiral."

The cost of tablets "Luminal" (100 mg, 10 pcs.) Is 1100 rubles and more.

Special Information

Simultaneous reception of "Luminal" with ethanol, as well as with ethanol containing substances, can significantly increase the oppressive effect of the drug on the patient's nervous system. Therefore, alcoholic beverages and other medicinal tinctures on alcohol during treatment with this drug are contraindicated.

Reviews

Most of the reviews about this drug are left by the parents of young children. They argue that the drug "Luminal" fights well against such diseases as epilepsy and convulsive conditions. Also, this medication is often used as part of a combined treatment, supplemented with anesthetics.

Many patients talk about the high effectiveness of the drug "Luminal". However, they immediately stipulate that when taking this drug should strictly monitor its dosage and combination with other drugs.

Sometimes the drug in question is used to treat people with vegetative-vascular dystonia, which is accompanied by attacks of panic attacks. Treatment with this drug helps to normalize the patient's condition, especially if it was supplemented with medications that dilate the vessels and relieve spasms.