Question 1

please describe the medication: phenytoin?

Accepted Answer

Same as dilantin: Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.
 
Dilantin is used to control seizures. It does not treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medication for you.

Question 2

what are issues caused by low phenytoin levels?

Accepted Answer

Recurrent seizures: If Phenytoin is being used for the treatment of epilepsy, low levels ie. Less than 10, put you at increased risk of seizure recurrence. If your seizures have been well controlled on phenytoin, purposefully decreasing the level may endanger your driving privileges etc. Low Phenytoin levels may be due to low albumin, a poor diet, dialysis or competing drugs. This can be checked(free Phenytoin level).

Question 3

will someone please describe the symptoms of phenytoin?

Accepted Answer

Many adverse rxns.: Drugs don't have symptoms-they are adverse reactions and Phenytoin has serious and common events. Serious:suicidality, stevens-johnson syndrome, anaphylaxis, hepatotoxicity, deceased platelet count, whiteblood cell count or across all blood lines, etc. Common rxns:nausea, vomiting, rash, slurred speech, tremor, gum hyperplasia, coarse facial features, ataxia, confusion etc. There are others in both.

Question 4

phenytoin free level is @ .9 normal is 1.0-2.0.should i worry?

Accepted Answer

Depends...: If you are doing well and not having seizures then that level is usually fine.  If you are having breakthrough seizures then that means that there is room to increase the dose if needed.  Timing of last dose and the blood draw can affect the blood value.  The old adage "Treat the patient not the lab value" applies well here

Question 5

is phenytoin more effective when taken orally or via injection?

Accepted Answer

Efficiency: Intravenous phenytoin will affect faster than oral due to the need for the latter to be absorbed in the GI tract.  Once therapeutic levels are achieved, either orally or intravenously, the effect is equivalent.

Question 6

what side effects does phenytoin have?

Accepted Answer

Dilantin Effects: Following side effects
dizziness, drowsiness, headache, vomiting, trouble sleeping, nervousness
severe allergic reaction, bone pain, irritability, slurred speech, unusual eye movements, toredness and weakness
swollen&tender gums, ataxia, liver problems, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, unusual muscle movements, swollen lymph nodes.

Question 7

why phenytoin considered nonsedative antiepileptic?

Accepted Answer

Phenytoin: Not sure what you mean. Phenytoin is not considered to be a sedative by definition. This stands for the fact it doesn't possess properties that inhibit the brain in such a way as to induce relaxation, drowsiness, somnolence, calming.

Question 8

what can be done to reduce the side effects of phenytoin?

Accepted Answer

My response: First, phenytoin is an 80 yo archaic drug, which due to its numerous problems would never be approved these days by the American FDA.  Best way to reduce side effects is to find a better drug and slowly taper off your current drug, closely working with your doctor.

Question 9

what are the effects of phenytoin (dilantin)?

Accepted Answer

Dilantin Effects: Following side effects
dizziness, drowsiness, headache, vomiting, trouble sleeping, nervousness
severe allergic reaction, bone pain, irritability, slurred speech, unusual eye movements, toredness and weakness
swollen&tender gums, ataxia, liver problems, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, unusual muscle movements, swollen lymph nodes.

Question 10

when a person should take eptoin phenytoin tablets? is there any side effects? at what stage this medicine is given to the patient?

Accepted Answer

: In my opinion, there is NEVER a reason to use any phenytoin meds for any purpose.  These are close to 100 year old chemicals with substantial short-term and long-term adverse effects, and are archaic and irrelevant to modern medicine.

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Contraindications for phenytoin

A member asked:

Please describe the medication: phenytoin?

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What are issues caused by low phenytoin levels?

A member asked:

Will someone please describe the symptoms of phenytoin?

A member asked:

Phenytoin free level is @ .9 normal is 1.0-2.0.should i worry?

A member asked:

Is phenytoin more effective when taken orally or via injection?

A member asked:

What side effects does phenytoin have?

A member asked:

Why phenytoin considered nonsedative antiepileptic?

A member asked:

What can be done to reduce the side effects of phenytoin?

A member asked:

What are the effects of phenytoin (dilantin)?

A member asked:

When a person should take eptoin phenytoin tablets? is there any side effects? at what stage this medicine is given to the patient?

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