Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg

Understanding Canine Epilepsy and Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg

Canine epilepsy is a common neurological condition in dogs, leading to recurrent seizures. Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg works by helping to stabilise electrical activity in the brain, reducing the frequency and severity of these seizures. As a POM-V (Prescription Only Medicine – Veterinary), it requires a veterinary prescription, ensuring your pet receives appropriate and safe treatment from your vet.

How Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg Works

Each Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg contains phenobarbital, an anticonvulsant that acts to decrease neuronal excitability in the motor cortex. This helps to raise the seizure threshold, making it less likely for seizures to occur. Consistent administration is key to achieving steady therapeutic levels and optimal control of epileptic seizures in your dog.

Why Choose Weldricks for Your Pet's Medication?

At Weldricks Pharmacy, we understand the importance of reliable and accessible healthcare for your beloved pets. We provide genuine Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg, requiring a valid veterinary prescription to ensure responsible dispensing and the well-being of your animal.

• Trusted UK Pharmacy: Family-run for nearly 100 years, offering professional and accessible veterinary healthcare.
• Convenient Delivery: Enjoy free UK delivery on orders over £40, discreet packaging, and next-day delivery options for urgent needs.
• Exceptional Service: Rated 4.9/5 on Trustpilot and Reviews.io from over 85,000 reviews, reflecting our commitment to pet owner satisfaction.
• Expert Support: While we cannot offer direct veterinary advice, our pharmacy team ensures your prescription is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

Dosage and Administration

• Oral Use: Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg is for oral administration.
• Initial Dose: Dogs should start with a dose of 2-5 mg per kg bodyweight per day.
• Frequency: The total daily dose should be divided and administered twice daily.
• Tablet Division: The tablets can be divided into two equal parts to provide 7.5 mg doses.
• Consistency: Tablets must be given at the same time each day to achieve successful therapy.
• Full Effect: Steady state serum concentrations are not reached until 1-2 weeks after treatment is initiated. The full effect of the medication does not appear for two weeks, and doses should not be increased during this time.
• Dose Adjustment: Any adjustments to the starting dose should be made based on clinical efficacy, blood concentrations of phenobarbital, and the occurrence of undesired effects.
• Dosage Variation: Final effective doses may vary considerably between patients (from 1 mg to 15 mg/kg body weight twice a day) due to differences in phenobarbital excretion and sensitivity.
• Managing Uncontrolled Seizures: If seizures are not being controlled, the dosage may be increased by 20% at a time, with associated monitoring of serum phenobarbital levels. The phenobarbital serum concentration should be checked after steady state is achieved, and if it is less than 15 µg/ml, the dose may be adjusted accordingly. If seizures recur, the dose may be raised up to a maximum serum concentration of 45 µg/ml. High plasma concentrations may be associated with hepatotoxicity. Blood samples could be taken at the same time to allow plasma phenobarbital concentration to be determined, preferably during trough levels (shortly before the next dose of phenobarbital is due).
• Reconsidering Treatment: If seizures are not satisfactorily prevented and if the maximum level concentration is about 40 µg/ml, the diagnosis should be reconsidered and/or a second antiepileptic product (such as bromides) should be added to the treatment protocol.
• Clinical Assessment: Plasma concentrations should always be interpreted in conjunction with the observed response to therapy and a full clinical assessment, including monitoring for evidence of toxic effects in each animal.

Important Warnings and Precautions

• Contraindications: Do not administer Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg to animals with seriously impaired hepatic function, serious renal or cardiovascular disorders. It should also not be used in dogs weighing less than 3 kg body weight or in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance (phenobarbital) or any other barbiturates or excipients.
• Monitoring: Special care should be taken when monitoring small dogs weighing between 3 and less than 7.5 kg. Caution is recommended in animals with impaired renal function, hypovolemia, anaemia, and cardiac or respiratory dysfunction. Hepatic parameters should be monitored before beginning treatment and regularly during prolonged therapy (e.g., 2-3 weeks after start, then every 4-6 months).
• Withdrawal: Withdrawal of phenobarbital or transition to another antiepileptic therapy should be made gradually to avoid precipitating an increase in seizure frequency.
• Accidental Ingestion (Human): These tablets are flavoured. Store Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg out of reach of animals and especially children to avoid accidental ingestion, which can cause intoxication and be fatal. People with known hypersensitivity to barbiturates should avoid contact. Pregnant women, women of childbearing age, and lactating women should avoid accidental ingestion and prolonged skin contact due to potential teratogenic and toxic effects on unborn and breastfed children. It is advisable to wear disposable gloves during administration. In case of accidental human ingestion, seek medical attention immediately and show the package leaflet or label to the physician. Wash hands thoroughly after use.
• Adverse Reactions (Dogs): Rare adverse reactions (1 to 10 animals per 10,000 treated) include diarrhoea, emesis, ataxia (uncoordinated movement), polyphagia (increased appetite), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyuria (increased urination), and sedation. Other very rare effects (<1 animal per 10,000 treated) include hyperexcitability, pancytopenia (immunotoxic), neutropenia, hepatic toxicosis, low thyroxine (T4), and low free thyroxine (FT4). If adverse effects are severe, a decrease in the administered dose is recommended. Toxicity may develop at doses over 20 mg/kg/day or when serum phenobarbital levels rise above 45µg/ml.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: The safety of Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg during pregnancy and lactation has not been established. Use only according to a benefit-risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. Phenobarbital crosses the placenta and can affect prenatal growth. Pregnancy should be avoided in epileptic dogs whenever possible.
• Drug Interactions: Phenobarbital can interact with other medicines, affecting their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. Always inform your veterinarian about all other medications your dog is taking.
• Storage: Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. Any remaining portions of divided tablets should be replaced in the blister pocket, and the blister strip should be returned to the cardboard box. Remaining tablet portions should be given at the next administration.

Ingredients

Each Soliphen (Phenobarbital) 1 Tablet 15mg contains:

• Active substance: Phenobarbital 15 mg
• Excipients:
  • Cellulose microcrystalline
  • Starch, pregelatinised
  • Lactose monohydrate
  • Silica, colloidal hydrated
  • Pig liver flavour
  • Dried yeast from Saccharomyces
  • Magnesium stearate