{"id":59334,"date":"2023-07-17T14:09:38","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T18:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59334"},"modified":"2025-10-06T15:26:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T19:26:17","slug":"phenobarbital-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/phenobarbital-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Phenobarbital alternatives: What can I take instead of phenobarbital?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phenobarbital is an FDA-approved prescription medication used to treat seizure disorders. It\u2019s classified as an anticonvulsant because it is used for seizures. It is also known as a barbiturate medication. <\/span>Barbiturates<\/span><\/a> are antiepileptic drugs that cause central nervous system (CNS) depression, also known as sedative-hypnotics. They work by slowing down brain activity, which makes you feel drowsy and relaxed. They are often used to stop or prevent seizures in people with <\/span>epilepsy<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of phenobarbital?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Various anti-seizure medications are available to treat seizure disorders that do not improve with phenobarbital or when phenobarbital cannot be tolerated due to adverse effects or other issues. Another option may be more suitable\u2014instead of, or in combination with, phenobarbital\u2014for certain individuals due to their different uses, side effect profiles, or other unique factors that affect seizure control.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The table below compares phenobarbital, in bold, with some common alternatives used for <\/span>epilepsy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare phenobarbital alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nAdult dosage<\/b>* (consult healthcare provider for pediatric dosage)<\/span><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phenobarbital<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSeizure disorders (generalized and partial seizures)<\/span><\/td>\n50 to 100 mg by mouth 2 or 3 times daily<\/span><\/td>\nPhenobarbital coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aptiom (eslicarbazepine)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures<\/span><\/td>\n800 to 1600 mg by mouth daily<\/span><\/td>\nAptiom coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Depakote (divalproex sodium)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nComplex partial seizures, simple and complex absence seizures<\/span><\/p>\n

(also used for bipolar disorder and migraine prevention)<\/span><\/td>\n

30 to 60 mg per kg by mouth daily, divided into 2 or 3 doses<\/span><\/td>\nDepakote coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dilantin (phenytoin)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSeizure disorders including tonic-clonic seizures, psychomotor seizures, seizures following brain surgery<\/span><\/td>\n300 to 400 mg by mouth daily, divided into 2 or 3 doses<\/span><\/td>\nDilantin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Keppra <\/span><\/a>(levetiracetam)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures, juvenile myoclonic seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures<\/span><\/td>\n500 to 1500 mg by mouth every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\nKeppra coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lamictal <\/span><\/a>(lamotrigine)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nLamictal coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lyrica <\/span><\/a>(pregabalin)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(also used for fibromyalgia and nerve pain)<\/span><\/td>\n

150 to 600 mg by mouth daily, divided into 2 or 3 doses<\/span><\/td>\nLyrica coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Neurontin <\/span><\/a>(gabapentin)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(also used for pain following shingles called post-herpetic neuralgia)<\/span><\/td>\n

300 to 1200 mg by mouth 3 times daily<\/span><\/td>\nNeurontin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tegretol <\/span><\/a>(carbamazepine)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nSeizure disorders including partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, mixed seizures<\/span><\/p>\n

(also used for trigeminal neuralgia)<\/span><\/td>\n

800 to 1200 mg by mouth daily, divided into 2, 3, or 4 doses<\/span><\/td>\nTegretol coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Topamax <\/span><\/a>(topiramate)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures<\/span><\/p>\n

(also used for migraine prevention)<\/span><\/td>\n

100 to 200 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nTopamax coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trileptal <\/span><\/a>(oxcarbazepine)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures<\/span><\/td>\n600 to 1200 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nTrileptal coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vimpat <\/span><\/a>(lacosamide)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\nPartial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures<\/span><\/td>\n100 to 200 mg by mouth twice daily\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nVimpat coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*Note that dosage varies based upon individual factors. Medications may be prescribed alone or with other medications, depending on each medication and its guidelines for use. The dosage in the chart is a general maintenance dose. Many medications will be started at a lower dose<\/a> and slowly increased to the maintenance dose. There are various formulations available for some of these medications (such as immediate-release and extended-release), and dosages will vary. Consult a healthcare provider for dosing information.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Other alternatives to phenobarbital<\/span><\/h3>\n

Brand names are listed first, with the active ingredient in parentheses. Drugs given by injection, such as <\/span>Ativan<\/span><\/a>* (lorazepam; given by intravenous route for status epilepticus), are not listed here.<\/span><\/p>\n