What is Phenobarbital? Phenobarbital is a barbiturate medication used primarily as an anticonvulsant to treat seizures, including those associated with epilepsy. It is also used for sedation and in the management of certain withdrawal syndromes. Measuring phenobarbital levels in the blood is essential for therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure efficacy and prevent toxicity, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.
Definition: The Phenobarbital Unit Converter converts phenobarbital concentrations between various units, enabling standardization of laboratory results for clinical use.
Purpose: It assists clinicians and pharmacists in interpreting phenobarbital levels across different measurement units (e.g., µmol/L to µg/mL), ensuring accurate therapeutic monitoring and dose adjustments.
Converting phenobarbital concentrations between units is critical for:
Therapeutic and Toxic Levels: Phenobarbital levels are monitored to ensure they remain within the therapeutic range for seizure control while avoiding toxicity. High levels can cause sedation, respiratory depression, or coma, while low levels may lead to breakthrough seizures.
Therapeutic Range:
Interferences:
Q: Why are there different units for phenobarbital?
A: Different units reflect varying standards; µmol/L is the SI unit, while µg/mL and mg/L are commonly used in clinical practice.
Q: What is a therapeutic phenobarbital level?
A: Therapeutic phenobarbital levels are typically 10–40 µg/mL (43–172 µmol/L). Consult a healthcare provider for interpretation.
Q: Can this converter be used for other anticonvulsants?
A: No, this converter is specific to phenobarbital; other anticonvulsants have different molecular weights and conversion factors—consult a healthcare provider for accuracy.