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783.e4 Phenobarbital: Adverse Effects/Toxicosis

Recommended Monitoring Prevention ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
• CBC, chemistry panel: before starting Monitor liver enzymes and phenobarbital READINGS
VetBooks.ir • Serum phenobarbital levels: 2 weeks after early changes. Stabile F, et al: Phenobarbital administration every
concentrations on a consistent basis to detect
phenobarbital, repeat at 1 month and then
q 6-12 months
eight hours: improvement of seizure management in
idiopathic epileptic dogs with decreased phenobarbi-
Technician Tips
starting drug and q 6-12 months
tal elimination half-life. Vet Rec 180(7):178, 2017.
Always check metabolism of any new medica- Thomas WB: Idiopathic epilepsy in dogs and cats. Vet
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME tions or supplements that the pet is on to see Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 40(1):161-179,
whether they will be affected by phenobarbital 2010.
Prognosis is generally good, but it is worse for or vice versa.
chronic hepatic dysfunction or blood dyscrasias. RELATED CLIENT EDUCATION
Client Education SHEET
PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS Do not start any supplements without discuss-
ing it with the veterinarian first. Seizures
Comments
• Serum phenobarbital levels can vary, depend- SUGGESTED READING AUTHOR & EDITOR: Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT,
ing on concurrent medications and liver Charalambous M, et al: Antiepileptic drugs’ DABT
health. tolerability and safety—a systematic review and
• Primidone is an older and now seldom used meta-analysis of adverse effects in dogs. BMC Vet
veterinary-approved anticonvulsant with Res 12:79, 2016.
similar toxicity.

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