Donnatal

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Donnatal, its ingredients, or similar drugs, you should not take this medication. Also avoid Donnatal if phenobarbital makes you excited or restless, instead of calming you down. Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced.

Special warnings about Donnatal

Be cautious in using Donnatal if you suffer from high blood pressure, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), irregular or rapid heartbeat, or heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Donnatal can decrease sweating. If you are exercising or are subjected to high temperatures, be alert for heat prostration.

If you develop diarrhea, especially if you have an ileostomy or colostomy (artificial openings to the bowel), check with your doctor.

If you have a gastric ulcer, use this medication with caution.

Donnatal may cause you to become drowsy or less alert. You should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Donnatal

Donnatal may intensify the effects of alcohol. Check with your doctor before using alcohol with this medication.

Avoid taking antacids within 1 hour of a dose of Donnatal; they may reduce its effectiveness.

If Donnatal is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Donnatal with the following:

• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine
• Antidepressants known as MAO inhibitors, including phenelzine and tranylcypromine
• Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine
• Antispasmodic drugs such as dicyclomine
• Barbiturates such as secobarbital
• Blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin
• Diarrhea medications containing attapulgite
• Digitalis
• Narcotics such as oxycodone
• Potassium
• Steroids such as methylprednisolone and prednisone
• Tranquilizers such as diazepam