Phenobarbital for Dogs: Dosage, Side Effects, and Natural Alternatives

Key Takeaway: In dogs, Phenobarbital is usually prescribed for seizure disorders such as epilepsy. Some of its side effects include agitation, anemia, anxiety, increased thirst or appetite, lethargy, liver damage from long-term use, incoordination, restlessness, sedation, and weight gain. CBD has been shown to be effective at treating seizures in dogs.

side-effects-of-phenobarbital-for-dogs-dosage

The first time you witnessed your dog having a seizure was likely a terrifying and scary experience. Whether its a full body grand mal seizure , or a localized petit mal seizure, it doesn't look pleasant. But once you’ve learned more about dog seizures, you will realize that they are not painful for your dog, though you probably still want to prevent them.


One option your vet may suggest is to put your dog on Phenobarbital.

So is it worth it to put your dog on this drug?

WHAT IS PHENOBARBITAL?

Phenobarbital is a generic name for a type of barbiturate drug. Barbiturate drugs have been around for many decades; they were widely used in humans in the 1960s and 1970s to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

For dogs, Phenobarbital is commonly used to treat seizure disorders such as epilepsy. It is a very effective drug and also inexpensive compared to the other drugs with the same purpose.

Phenobarbital can be given to your dog daily to prevent seizures, but can also be administered to your dog to stop seizures in progress.

Phenobarbital is also available under the brand names Luminal® and Solfoton®.

HOW DOES PHENOBARBITAL WORK?

Seizures often occur when there is a change in brain activity, like when sleeping or waking up.

Phenobarbital works by reducing the neuron activity in the dog’s brain – think of it as a central nervous system depressant. At the same time, Phenobartial increases the natural brain chemical called GABA, a neurotransmitter that blocks nerve impulses.

As a result, the dog feels more tranquil and relaxed after taking Phenobarbital.

DOSAGE OF PHENOBARBITAL FOR DOGS

The FDA has not approved Phenobarbital for veterinary use, but it is still widely used. You must follow your vet’s dosage recommendation (usually based on the dog’s weight, severity, and frequency of the seizures) and instructions carefully.

You can only get a prescription for Phenobarbital from a DEA-licensed veterinarian since it is a controlled substance.

In general, Phenobarbital comes as a tablet to be given to your dog every 12 hours with or without food.

Missing a dose can result in your dog having seizures. Overdose can cause depression in the nervous system. Therefore it is essential to give Phenobarbital to your dog as prescribed and instructed by your vet.

Blood tests by your vet are essential every 2-6 months to monitor the level of Phenobarbital in your dog’s blood to make sure your dog is taking the proper and safe dosage.

SIDE EFFECTS OF PHENOBARBITAL IN DOGS

While Phenobarbital is a relatively safe medication, side effects can occur. Side effects to watch out for include:

  • Agitation
  • Anemia
  • Anxiety
  • Increased thirst or appetite
  • Increased urination
  • Lethargy
  • Liver damage (long-term use)
  • Loss of coordination
  • Restlessness
  • Sedation
  • Weight gain

Phenobarbital can cause liver damage (such as scarring in the liver) after prolonged use (over three months). In rare cases, it can even cause liver failure, which is why frequent blood tests are necessary for your vet to monitor the liver function.

HOW DOES PHENOBARBITAL INTERACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?

Phenobarbital is avoided or used with extreme caution in dogs suffering from:

  • Addison’s disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Respiratory problems
  • Existing liver disease

The following medications can have interactions when combined with Phenobarbital:

  • Acetaminophen
  • Opioids
  • Phenytoin
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
  • Carprofen (Rimadyl)
  • Rifampin

The effect of Phenobarbital can either be increased or decreased when combined with many other drugs, including Keppra for dogs.

You should always consult your vet if your dog is taking one or more medications before being put on Phenobarbital to avoid potentially harmful side effects.

ARE THERE ANY NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO PHENOBARBITAL?

The natural alternative with the most potential is CBD. The FDA recently approved a CBD drug (Epidiolex) for people with rare forms of epilepsy that are not treatable with conventional seizure medications.

A small 2019 study at Colorado State University found that CBD reduced seizures in most dogs when combined with anti-seizure medications like Phenobarbital.

The best part is that the side effects of CBD in dogs are relatively minimal even at extremely high dosages.

The Factor that will improve your dog’s chance of success with CBD are to use a product with an appropriate dose of CBD for your dog’s weight, generally above 0.45mg/lb twice a day for oils placed in the mouth, and more for CBD treats or oil that’s swallowed, as less is absorbed that way.

Relievet CBD dog oils and freeze-dried CBD treats for dogs are designed to make it safe and easy to provide an effective dose of CBD for dogs between 1 – 200lbs.

If you decide to explore CBD for your dog, we suggest you do it under the guidance of your vet. This is especially important if your dog is already on seizure medications, as they shouldn’t be stopped abruptly.



References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  • Carprofen For Dogs: Dosage, Side Effects, And Risks

    Carprofen For Dogs: Dosage, Side Effects, And Risks

    Carprofen (name brand Rimadyl®) is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) approved by the FDA for use in dogs. Due to a massive marketing campaign, it is one of the most widely-used canine anti-inflammatories and non-narcotic pain medications. Like other NSAIDs, carprofen...

    Carprofen For Dogs: Dosage, Side Effects, And Risks

    Carprofen (name brand Rimadyl®) is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) approved by the FDA for use in dogs. Due to a massive marketing campaign, it is one of the most widely-used...

  • mct-oil-for-dogs-benefits-dosages

    MCT Oil for Dogs

    MCT oil may provide several health benefits to dogs. MCT is tasteless and can be used in various food preparations such as baked goods, coffee, dressings, smoothies, and directly on dog food. This article examines MCT oil for dogs, the...

    MCT Oil for Dogs

    MCT oil may provide several health benefits to dogs. MCT is tasteless and can be used in various food preparations such as baked goods, coffee, dressings, smoothies, and directly on...

  • Over the Counter Medicine for Feverish Dogs

    Over the Counter Medicine for Feverish Dogs

    Getting a fever sucks! You feel awful, you feel tired, and you practically can't do anything to alleviate the worst of the symptoms. You mostly just have to bide your time and wait for it to break, but there are...

    Over the Counter Medicine for Feverish Dogs

    Getting a fever sucks! You feel awful, you feel tired, and you practically can't do anything to alleviate the worst of the symptoms. You mostly just have to bide your...

1 of 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is Relievet

I'm Chris; I started Relievet to help my dog Biscuit deal with her mobility issues naturally. Relievet is a family-owned business composed of a team of passionate pet parents that includes a Doctor of Pharmacy, a dog trainer, a writer, a psychologist, and more. We make natural products that help dogs maintain balance and deal with the issues they face, and we do our best to educate people on natural pet health. Beyond that, we are conducting research in hopes of improving the lives of many more animals.


In a world of giant corporations, we favor the personal approach. Reach out to us any time, whether just to tell us your pet's story or for your vet to consult with James, our in-house Pharmacist; we would love to hear from you.

What Can We Do For Your Pet?

Animals suffer from many of the same issues as us, with one crucial difference: they can't communicate their needs or feelings. Relievet products are designed from the ground up for animals with careful consideration of their needs.


We make over 40 natural products targetting some of the most common issues faced by dogs, cats, birds, and horses.

Does My Vet Need to Be Involved?

You don't need a prescription to purchase Relievet products online or in stores in the United States and many other parts of the world.


However, only your vet can diagnose and recommend treatment for your pet's health issues, and you shouldn't ever stop, change, or add to their medication without your vet's guidance. If they have questions regarding our products, reach out to us, and we will be happy to help.