On this episode of the Real Life Pharmacology Podcast, I cover phenobarbital pharmacology, adverse effects, important drug interactions and much more.



Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer. It is an inducer at CYP3A4 so this can lead to numerous drug interactions.



Phenobarbital can exacerbate the risk for opioid overdose and increase the risk for respiratory depression and death.



Phenobarbital can deplete numerous vitamins such as vitamin D, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Monitoring of these is important.