Health Encyclopedia

Secobarbital overdose

Definition

Secobarbital is a drug used to treat insomnia. It may also be given before surgery to relieve anxiety. Secobarbital overdose occurs when someone takes too much of this medicine.

Alternative Names

Meballymal overdose; Quinalbarbitone sodium overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Secobarbital

Where Found

Seconal
Immenoctal
Seral

This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Lungs
- Slow or stopped breathing
- Breathing difficulty
Heart and blood
- Low blood pressure
- Weak pulse
Nervous system
- Coma
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Deep sleep
- Excitement
- Headache
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady gait

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patient's age, weight, and condition
The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
The time it was swallowed
The amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Activated charcoal
Blood test to determine how much of the drug is in the blood
Laxative
Tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the symptoms observed by the health care provider.

Mild -- The patient can be aroused. No further treatment will probably be necessary.
Moderate -- Breathing and other vital signs are normal. The patient cannot be aroused. Recovery will probably occur within 24 - 48 hours with proper care.
Severe -- Breathing and other vital signs may be abnormal. The patient cannot be aroused. Recovery will probably occur within 3 - 5 days, depending on the amount swallowed.

Review Date:5/18/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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