Phenobarbital Poisoning Case: Was It Preventable?

Abstract

Phenobarbital-related poisoning may also occur with accidental or voluntary high doses of medications, as well as mispresentation of medications or drug doses by families and incorrect prescribing. A seven-month-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital due to fever, wheezing, and decreased suction was hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of pneumonia. The patient who had been using levetiracetam for two months due to his seizures was taking phenobarbital treatment for two days due to the increased seizures. It was learned that the patient who had an increase in respiratory distress and sleep at the 15th hour of hospital follow-up received the phenobarbital treatment in the wrong dose in his new history. His treatment for phenobarbital poisoning and respiratory failure was planned and he was discharged without sequelae at the 50th hour of his treatment. In this article, it is aimed to emphasize the importance of families to be well informed about drug doses and to ask about the doses of medications used during hospitalization of patients who use medication due to chronic disease, to put these medications on the treatment list and to continue under doctor control.

Keywords

• child
• phenobarbital poisoning
• respiratory distress