Table 2 The protocol of treatment with phenobarbital
Initial loading dose of 20 mg/kg IV or IM ⇩ If the symptoms persisted another 5 mg/kg was given q 8–12 h (the maximum loading dose = 40 mg/kg) | |
Loading dose (mg/kg) | Maintenance dose (mg/kg/24 h) |
20 | 5 |
30 | 6 |
40 | 8 |
Continued until Finnegan score remained below 8 for 72 h then ⇩ The drug was weaned gradually by 10 % of maximal dose every day until it was entirely discontinued | |