Phenobarbital poisoning: A case report

Introduction: As a drug of the barbiturates class, phenobarbital has a wide application and among the general population due to its anticonvulsant, hypnotic, and sedative effects. Addiction, suicide, and accidental deaths because of the incorrect use of these drugs are issues that need to be addressed.Patient/Case presentation: A 37-year-old woman with no history of disease or drug use was found in reduced consciousness by a companion in the house bathroom and taken to the hospital by the EMS service. In the initial examination, the patient was not alert and had no significant symptom in head and neck examination except for unresponsive pupils to light. During the first hours, the patient’s SpO2 and respiratory rate reduced, the patient was intubated via RSI. The urine drug screen was positive for phenobarbital and negative for other toxins. Phenobarbital blood level test result was 120, confirming toxic levels (normal: 20-40). Neurology counseling raised the possibility of encephalopathy. Subsequently, in the course of treatment, the patient had automatic respiration after the second dialysis, and the level of consciousness improved gradually.Discussion and Conclusion: Given the severe damage caused by phenobarbital poisoning and the shortage of information in this regard as well as the limited therapeutic indices, it is critical to have careful monitoring on the drug dosage. It also seems necessary to do more research that can improve our understanding of damages caused by phenobarbital consumption and poisoning.

کلیدواژه ها:

Phenobarbital ، poisoning ، reduced consciousness