Precautions
Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.
How does Dilantin work in the body?
Dilantin is used to control seizures. Phenytoin does not treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medicine for you.
What is the difference between phenytoin and Dilantin?
Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause you to have seizures more often or seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). 2. Like other antiepileptic drugs, Dilantin may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500.
What happens when you stop taking Dilantin?
Dilantin is not a major drug of abuse; its use does not produce significant euphoria even though it may be used to control certain types of pain; and the drug is not considered to be a controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, although its use does require a prescription.
Is Dilantin a major drug of abuse?
See more
Is DILANTIN used for anything other than seizures?
Its major uses are for the prevention of seizures, particularly tonic-clonic seizures (that affect the entire brain) or partial seizures (seizures that affect only half of the brain or one area). Phenytoin can also be used in the treatment of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and neuropathic pain.
What does the drug DILANTIN do?
Phenytoin is used to prevent and control seizures (also called an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug). It works by reducing the spread of seizure activity in the brain.
What are DILANTIN side effects?
The most common side effects of DILANTIN include irregular movement of the eye, problems with walking and coordination, slurred speech, trouble sleeping, confusion, dizziness, nervousness, tremor, headache, and nausea.
What type of medication is DILANTIN?
Phenytoin is used to control certain type of seizures, and to treat and prevent seizures that may begin during or after surgery to the brain or nervous system. Phenytoin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Does Dilantin cause brain damage?
For decades, Dilantin has been associated with cerebellar atrophy or degeneration, a type of brain damage caused by the deterioration of neurons (nerve cells) in the cerebellum (the area of the brain that controls balance and muscle coordination).
Does Dilantin cause memory loss?
All drugs that depress signaling in the CNS can cause memory loss. Alternatives: Many patients with seizures do well on phenytoin (Dilantin), which has little if any impact on memory.
What happens when you stop taking DILANTIN?
Stopping DILANTIN suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause you to have seizures more often or seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Like other antiepileptic drugs, DILANTIN may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500.
Can you take DILANTIN long term?
Long-term use of Dilantin may increase the potential for toxic effects and overdose. Individuals who overdose on Dilantin may do so accidentally or as an attempt to harm themselves. Combining Dilantin with drugs of abuse can increase the risk of toxic effects or overdose.
Does DILANTIN affect sleep?
Reactions include nystagmus, ataxia, slurred speech, decreased coordination, somnolence, and mental confusion. Dizziness, vertigo, insomnia, transient nervousness, motor twitchings, paresthesias, and headaches have also been observed.
What should be monitored when taking Dilantin?
Suicidal Behavior And Ideation Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
How long does it take Dilantin to work?
It usually takes around 4 weeks for phenytoin to work fully. This is because the dose of phenytoin needs to be increased slowly to prevent side effects. You may still have seizures or pain during this time.
What can I replace Dilantin with?
Dilantin (phenytoin) is available in a cheaper, generic form.Keppra (levetiracetam) is effective at lowering the frequency of various types of seizures.Keppra (levetiracetam) is available in liquid form or dissolving tablets if you have trouble swallowing pills.More items...
What happens when DILANTIN levels are low?
If levels are too low, the affected person may experience seizures; if they are too high, the person may experience symptoms associated with phenytoin toxicity.
What should be monitored when taking DILANTIN?
Suicidal Behavior And Ideation Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
What happens when you stop taking DILANTIN?
Stopping DILANTIN suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause you to have seizures more often or seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Like other antiepileptic drugs, DILANTIN may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500.
Is DILANTIN the same as gabapentin?
Neurontin (gabapentin) is an old seizure disorder medicine that is now used to treat nerve-related pain caused by different conditions. Treats and prevents seizures. Dilantin (phenytoin) is very good at treating and preventing seizures, but it has many drug interactions and some serious side effects.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Dilantin you are allergic to phenytoin or similar medicines such as ethotoin (Peganone), fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), or mephenytoin...
How Should I Take Dilantin?
Take Dilantin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smalle...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of phenytoin can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may inclu...
What Should I Avoid While Taking Dilantin?
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Dilantin. Alcohol use can increase your blood levels of phenytoin and may increase side effects. Daily...
Dilantin Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Seizures:Oral (except suspension) Loading dose: Only when indicated for inpatients.1 g orally divided in 3 doses (400 mg, 300...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Dilantin?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can raise or lower your blood levels of phenytoin, which may cause...
What is dilantin used for?
Its major uses are for the prevention of seizures, particularly tonic-clonic seizures (that affect the entire brain) or partial seizures (seizures that affect only half of the brain or one area).
What are the problems with dilantin?
Bone marrow problems. Weakening of the bones and the development of osteoporosis (Patients maintained on Dilantin for extended periods of time are encouraged to take supplements.) Neuropathy, or tingling and pain or numbness in the feet and legs particularly .
How long does a seizure last?
The intravenous form is typically used for seizures that last longer than five minutes, or for the occurrence of two or more seizures that occur within a five-minute period of time; both of these conditions are often referred to as status epilepticus.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
Some of the potential side effects include: Issues with the gums similar to gingivitis. Nausea, stomach cramps, and/or loss of appetite. Dizziness, decreased coordination, and mild problems with attention. Increased growth of hair.
Can dilantin be used for bipolar?
In some cases, anticonvulsant medications like Dilantin may also be used in the treatment of mood disorders, such as for certain forms of bipolar disorder. Dilantin is not approved for this use, but there are some reports of off-label use for this purpose.
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Can anticonvulsant medications cause cognitive disorders?
Often, when anticonvulsant drugs are misused by individuals with seizure disorders who have a prescription for them, these individuals also have coexisting cognitive disorders ...
What Is Dilantin?
Dilantin (phenytoin) belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, also known as anti-seizure or anti-epileptic drugs. This oral prescription medication is used to prevent and treat certain types of seizures (convulsions) and is available as an extended-release capsule, chewable tablet, or liquid syrup. 1
What Are the Side Effects of Dilantin?
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
What Other Medications Interact With Dilantin?
2 If you are taking a medicine that interacts with Dilantin, your provider may need to adjust your dose, choose an alternative medicine, and/or order special tests for monitoring purposes.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Dilantin?
While not always easy, staying healthy when taking Dilantin means adopting a “take charge” attitude about your health care and overall well-being.
What is the best medication for dysphoria?
It’s Dilantin , a medication prescribed mainly for epilepsy that does far more than treat seizures.
What was Jack's doctor's name for the medication that calmed the electrical explosions in his brain?
Jack wondered if his symptoms could have something to do with the electrical activity in his body. When he asked his physician about this, he was told about Dilantin , a medication used since the 1930s to calm the electrical explosions in the brains of patients with seizure disorders.
How does Dilantin work?
Dilantin works like fine-tuning the dial on a radio. If the station is not precisely tuned in, there’s a lot of static that interferes with the music. Give it a little adjustment, the music comes through, the sound is soothing, and everybody’s happy.
How to order Jack Dreyfus' book?
To order Jack Dreyfus’ book The Story of a Remarkable Medicine, call Whitaker Wellness at (800) 810-6655.
What did Jack find about Dilantin?
Jack began looking into Dilantin and found a wealth of material that had been published in worldwide scientific journals about this drug’s effectiveness in treating a wide range of problems. He tried to convince the FDA that the indications for Dilantin should be expanded to include seizure control and amelioration of dysphoric conditions—straightforward, to the point, and accurate.
How much money did Jack Dreyfus spend on Dilantin?
To this end, Jack Dreyfus spent $100 million of his own money and published several books, including one with more than 3,000 scientific references on Dilantin. Although he never succeeded in his quest to get the FDA to officially broaden Dilantin’s approved uses, a few doctors took notice.
What does Dilantin do to the brain?
All this drug does is normalize the brain’s electrical activity, which just makes people feel, in Jack Dreyfus’ words, “all right.”. After his very first day on Dilantin, he reported, “For the first time in my life I realized how good you feel when you feel ‘all right.’”.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Dilantin?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take Dilantin. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
How is Dilantin best taken?
Use Dilantin as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
What are some other side effects of Dilantin?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
What happens if you have high blood sugar?
Tell your doctor if you get signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, more hungry, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
What to do if your symptoms don't get better?
If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
What to do if you think you have an overdose?
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
How long does it take for dilantin to reach steady state?
For Dilantin capsules, peak serum levels occur 4 to 12 hours after administration. Steady-state therapeutic levels are achieved at least 7 to 10 days (5–7 half-lives) after initiation of therapy with recommended doses of 300 mg/day. When serum level determinations are necessary, they should be obtained at least 5–7 half-lives after treatment initiation, dosage change, or addition or subtraction of another drug to the regimen so that equilibrium or steady-state will have been achieved.
What is the free acid form of phenytoin?
Switching Between Phenytoin Formulations. The free acid form of phenytoin is used in Dilantin-125 Suspension and Dilantin Infatabs. Dilantin extended capsules and parenteral Dilantin are formulated with the sodium salt of phenytoin.
How many doses of dilantin are there?
Initially, one gram of Dilantin (extended phenytoin sodium capsules, USP) is divided into three doses ( 400 mg, 300 mg, 300 mg) and administered at two-hour intervals. Normal maintenance dosage is then instituted 24 hours after the loading dose, with frequent serum level determinations.
Why is phenytoin decreased during pregnancy?
Decreased serum concentrations of phenytoin may occur during pregnancy because of altered phenytoin pharmacokinetics. Periodic measurement of serum phenytoin concentrations should be performed during pregnancy, and the Dilantin dosage should be adjusted as necessary. Postpartum restoration of the original dosage will probably be indicated [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. Because of potential changes in protein binding during pregnancy, the monitoring of phenytoin serum levels should be based on the unbound fraction.
What is phenytoin toxicity?
Serum levels of phenytoin sustained above the therapeutic range may produce confusional states referred to as "delirium," "psychosis," or "encephalopathy," or rarely irreversible cerebellar dysfunction and/or cerebellar atrophy. Accordingly, at the first sign of acute toxicity, serum levels should be immediately checked. Dose reduction of phenytoin therapy is indicated if serum levels are excessive; if symptoms persist, termination is recommended.
What is dilantin used for?
Dilantin is indicated for the treatment of tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures and prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during or following neurosurgery.
What is the color of the PD on a dilantin capsule?
Capsule is imprinted with black rectified radial print, "PD" on cap and "Dilantin 30 mg" on body. 100 mg: hard, filled No. 3 capsules with a white, opaque body and a medium orange cap containing a white powder. Capsule is imprinted with black rectified radial print, "PD" on cap and "Dilantin 100 mg" on body.
What is phenytoin?
Phenytoin injection is an anticonvulsant medication that is used to treat a prolonged seizure (status epilepticus). Phenytoin injection is also used to prevent seizures during a surgery.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdose symptoms may include twitching eye movements, slurred speech, loss of balance, tremor, muscle stiffness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing.
What should I avoid while taking phenytoin?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
What other drugs will affect phenytoin?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
What to tell your caregivers before taking phenytoin?
Before taking this medicine. If possible before you receive a phenytoin injection, tell your caregivers if you have ever had: a heart condition called 2nd or 3rd degree "AV block"; slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint; liver problems caused by phenytoin; or. if you currently take delavirdine (Rescriptor).
What to do before phenytoin injection?
If possible before you receive a phenytoin injection, tell your caregivers if you have ever had serious heart problems, or slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint. Your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and other vital signs will be watched closely.
Why is my name listed on a pregnancy registry?
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of phenytoin on the baby.
What is the difference between antagonistic and synergistic dilantin?
A drug interaction occurs when you are taking Dilantin along with other medications, which could potentially have synergistic or antagonistic results. Synergistic simply means that the effects of Dilantin are heightened due to the presence of another substance. Antagonistic is the opposite of that.
Why is dilantin on the shelves?
While Dilantin is prescribed as maintenance medicine for seizures, surgery rooms have this medication on their shelves because it’s also injected on patients when they suffer a seizure after a surgery or any other type of seizure in emergencies. [toc]
How long does it take for a seizure to go away?
Typically, you only inject the drug if the seizure will persist for over five minutes or if there are multiple seizures within the five-minute span. The medical condition is called status epilepticus. The drug is also being used to treat mood disorders and bipolar disorders.
Why do people abuse dilantin?
People abuse Dilantin because it does help alleviate some of the physical pain they are feeling.
What are the symptoms of cerebellar degeneration?
There are also documented cases of cerebellar degeneration. The symptoms of rare disease include wide-legged walk, lack of motor coordination, tremors in the body, slurred speech, and jerking movement of the limbs.
How many drugs interact with dilantin?
Accordingly, there are more than 1,200 drugs that are known to interact with Dilantin, 200 of those have major consequences and almost 1,000 have been known to have moderate effects. As to the diseases, the following are known to interact with Dilantin: Megaloblastic anemia. Hyperglycemia. Liver disease.
What is the number to call Sunshine Behavioral Health?
Feel free to call 949-276-2886 and one of our addiction specialists will help get the information and help you need. Medical disclaimer: Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions.
What is Dilaudid?
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
What happens if I overdose?
Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and fainting.
What should I avoid?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with hydromorphone.
What other drugs will affect Dilaudid?
Hydromorphone can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use:
How long can hydromorphone be stored?
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused liquid after 90 days. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Hydromorphone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What is a sedative like Valium?
a sedative like Valium - diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam, Xanax, Klonopin, Versed, and others;
What are the symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
