phenobarbital

[ fee-noh-bahr-bi-tawl, -tal, -nuh- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline powder, C 1 2 H 1 2 N 2 O 3 , used as a sedative, a hypnotic, and as an antispasmodic in epilepsy.

phenobarbital

/ ˌfiːnəʊˈbɑːbɪtəl /

noun

1. a white crystalline derivative of barbituric acid used as a sedative for treating insomnia and as an anticonvulsant in epilepsy. Formula: C 12 H 12 N 2 O 3

phenobarbital

/ fē′nō-bär′bĭ-tôl′,-tăl′ /

1. A crystalline barbiturate used as a sedative and an anticonvulsant. Chemical formula: C 12 H 12 N 2 O 3 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenobarbital¹

First recorded in 1915–20; pheno- + barbital

Example Sentences

Babies and toddlers who do not “behave” are medicated and sedated with drugs such as Phenobarbital, a common antiseizure drug.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, he said, if a doctor did give someone Phenobarbital for a seizure, he could be sued for malpractice.

From The Daily Beast