The Effects of Phenobarbital & Librium Taken Together

Phenobarbital is a barbiturate medication used to cause sedation or prevent seizures, while Librium is a benzodiazepine drug that is used to treat anxiety. While both drugs are effective medications, using Phenobarbital and Librium together poses serious health risks.

Background

Though different classes of medications, both Phenobarbital and Librium are considered to be central nervous system (CNS) depressants. The Food and Drug Administration warns that it is dangerous to combine either drug with another CNS depressant.

Effects

CNS depressants stimulate the production of a chemical messenger in your body called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) that slows down brain activity. When you take Phenobarbital and Librium together, the drugs increase the natural actions of one another, causing a severe decrease in brain activity.

Features

CNS depression caused by a combination of Phenobarbital and Librium produces a number of side effects, including slower breathing, decreased heart rate, lack of reflexes and fatigue. Often the symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time.

Risks

In some cases, CNS depression caused by Phenobarbital and Librium results in coma, heart failure and even death.

Considerations

Alcohol or over-the-counter medications like cold remedies that contain alcohol also pose a significant risk for CNS depression when combined with Phenobarbital, Librium or both drugs.

References

• FDA Reports on Phenobarbital
• FDA Reports on Librium
• Mayo Clinic on Librium

Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse on CNS Depression
• EHow on Symptoms of CNS Depression