Phenobarbital is a long-lasting barbiturate and anticonvulsant used in the treatment of all types of seizures, except for absent seizures. A barbituric acid derivative that acts as a nonselective central nervous system depressant.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Phenobarbital acts on GABAA receptors, increasing synaptic inhibition. This has the effect of elevating seizure threshold and reducing the spread of seizure activity from a seizure focus. Phenobarbital may also inhibit calcium channels, resulting in a decrease in excitatory transmitter release. The sedative-hypnotic effects of phenobarbital are likely the result of its effect on the polysynaptic midbrain reticular formation, which controls CNS arousal.
- Primary indication
- For the treatment of all types of seizures except absence seizures.Curator reviewed · 14 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C12H12N2O3 · 232.2353 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2000 · United States, 2022
- Also known as
- Phenobarbitol · Phenobarbitone · Phenobarbituric Acid · Phenylethylbarbiturate · Phenylethylbarbituric Acid
- Code names
- NSC-128143 · NSC-9848
- Brand names
Resolves to
DDBREPKUVSBGFI-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCCC1(C(=O)NC(=O)NC1=O)C1=CC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 21, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Phenobarbital, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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