Mebaral is in a group of drugs called barbiturates (bar-BIT-chur-ates). Mebaral slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Mebaral is used as a sedative to treat anxiety, tension, and apprehension (dreading or feeling uneasy about what you think may happen). Mebaral is also used to treat seizures.

Mebaral may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Most important: Do not take this medication if you are allergic to mephobarbital or to other barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

Before taking Mebaral, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, anemia, heart disease, asthma or other breathing disorder, or a history of depression, mental illness, suicide attempt, or drug/alcohol addiction.

Do not use Mebaral without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Mebaral can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking mephobarbital.

Mebaral may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Mebaral should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.