Overdose Phenobarbital

phenobarbital causes depression of body s systems, central , peripheral nervous systems. thus, main characteristic of phenobarbital overdose slowing of bodily functions, including decreased consciousness (even coma), bradycardia, bradypnea, hypothermia, , hypotension (in massive overdoses). overdose may lead pulmonary edema , acute renal failure result of shock, , can result in death.

the electroencephalogram of person phenobarbital overdose may show marked decrease in electrical activity, point of mimicking brain death. due profound depression of central nervous system, , reversible.

treatment of phenobarbital overdose supportive, , consists of maintenance of airway patency (through endotracheal intubation , mechanical ventilation), correction of bradycardia , hypotension (with intravenous fluids , vasopressors, if necessary) , removal of drug possible body. depending on how time has elapsed since ingestion of drug, may accomplished through gastric lavage (stomach pumping) or use of activated charcoal. hemodialysis effective in removing phenobarbital body, , may reduce half-life 90%. no specific antidote barbiturate poisoning available.

british veterinarian donald sinclair, better known siegfried farnon in creatures great , small books of james herriot, committed suicide @ age of 84 injecting himself overdose of phenobarbital. activist abbie hoffman committed suicide consuming phenobarbital, combined alcohol, on april 12, 1989; residue of around 150 pills found in body @ autopsy. dying overdose in 1996 actress/model margaux hemingway. japanese officers aboard german submarine u-234 killed phenobarbital while german crew members on way surrender (but before japan had surrendered).

39 members of heaven s gate ufo religious group committed mass suicide in march 1997 drinking lethal dose of phenobarbital , vodka , lay down die hoping enter alien spacecraft.