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Secobarbital overdose

Alternative Names:
Meballymal; Quinalbarbitone sodium

Home Treatment:

Call Poison Control for instructions.



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:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.



What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following may be performed or given:

  • Activated charcoal
  • Laxative
  • Gastric lavage 
  • Blood test to determine amount of drug in the blood
  • Treatment of the symptoms


Expectations (prognosis):

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

  • Mild (no further treatment will probably be necessary):
    • The patient can be aroused.
  • Moderate (recovery will probably occur within 24 - 48 hours, with proper care): 
    • The patient cannot be aroused.
    • Breathing is normal.
    • Other life signs (pulse, skin color) are normal.
  • Severe (recovery will probably occur within 3 - 5 days, depending on the amount swallowed):
    • The patient cannot be aroused.
    • Breathing and other life signs may be abnormal.



Review Date: 5/10/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone, M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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