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Table 6. Sample Residential (Level 3.7) Protocol for
Phenobarbital Taper
Day 1
• 64.8 mg initial dose and then 32.4 mg every 4 hours
• If the patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, clinicians
may add a 32.4 mg dose
• 226.8 mg total scheduled daily dose, with a maximum total daily dose of
330 mg
Day 2
• 32.4 mg every 4 hours
• If the patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, clinicians
may add a 32.4 mg dose
• 194.4 mg total scheduled daily dose, with a maximum total daily dose of
300 mg
Day 3
• 32.4 mg every 6 hours
• If the patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, clinicians
may add a 32.4 mg dose
• 129.6 mg total scheduled daily dose, with a maximum total daily dose of
240 mg
Day 4
• 32.4 mg every 8 hours
• If the patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, clinicians
may add a 32.4 mg dose
• 97.2 mg total scheduled daily dose, with a maximum total daily dose of
180 mg
Day 5
• 32.4 mg every 12 hours
• If the patient is experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, clinicians
may add a 32.4 mg dose
• 64.8 mg total scheduled daily dose, with a maximum total daily dose of
150 mg
Day 6 e patient may be discharged (or, for patients with SUD, transitioned to a less
intensive level of addiction care) when the total daily dose is <60 mg within 24
hours
