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- $Unique_ID{BRK03292}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{phenytoin}
- $Subject{Dilantin Parke-Davis Infatab Kapseal Diphenylan Lannett
- Anticonvulsant phenytoin convulsions seizures brain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Dilantin Kapseal*0329201.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- phenytoin
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Dilantin (Parke-Davis)
- Dilantin Infatab (Parke-Davis)
- Dilantin Kapseal (Parke-Davis)
- Diphenylan (Lannett)
- phenytoin (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Anticonvulsant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- phenytoin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (30 mg and 100 mg)
- Chewable tablets (50 mg)
- Oral suspension (30 mg and 125 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 0.6% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Phenytoin capsules, tablets, and oral suspension should be stored at room
- temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. This medication
- should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Phenytoin is used to control certain types of convulsions, or seizures.
- It is not clear exactly how phenytoin works to control convulsions, but it
- appears to prevent the spread of seizure activity in the brain. Phenytoin may
- also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your physician.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To avoid stomach irritation and increase this drug's absorption, take
- phenytoin with food or with a full glass of water or milk (unless your doctor
- directs you to do otherwise).
- The tablet form of this medication should be chewed before swallowing.
- The suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before
- measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle,
- so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly
- and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured carefully with a
- specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.
- Phenytoin works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
- kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
- intervals day and night. For example, if you are taking three doses a day,
- the doses should be spaced eight hours apart.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do
- not double the next dose. If you miss two or more doses in a row, contact
- your doctor.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, drowsiness (mild), headache, insomnia, nausea, or vomiting.
- These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, change in facial features,
- gum enlargement, increased hair growth, joint pain, muscle twitching,
- nervousness, numbness, rash, slurred speech, sore throat, swollen glands,
- uncoordinated movements, unusual bleeding or bruising, change in the color of
- your urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Phenytoin interacts with a number of other types of drugs:
- 1. The effectiveness of phenytoin can be decreased by concurrent use of
- alcohol, barbiturates, folic acid, tricyclic anti-depressants, reserpine,
- molindone, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, chloral hydrate, rifampin,
- phenothiazine tranquilizers, and haloperidol.
- 2. Phenytoin can decrease the effectiveness of calcifediol, warfarin,
- quinidine, disopyramide, dexamethasone, doxycycline, levodopa, and oral
- contraceptives.
- 3. The active blood levels and side effects of phenytoin can be increased
- by chloramphenicol, cimetidine, warfarin, disulfiram, isoniazid,
- oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, amiodarone, trimethoprim,
- sulfonamide antibiotics, tolbutamide, chlordiazepoxide, chlorpromazine,
- diazepam, estrogens, ethosuximide, methylphenidate, and prochlorperazine.
- 4. Valproic acid can either increase or decrease the effects of
- phenytoin.
- 5. The dosage of oral antidiabetic medications may need to be adjusted
- when phenytoin is started.
- 6. Phenytoin may decrease the absorption of furosemide from the
- gastrointestinal tract, decreasing its effectiveness.
- 7. Antacids, calcium, oxacillin, sucralfate, medicines for diarrhea, and
- antineoplastics (anticancer drugs) may decrease the gastrointestinal
- absorption and effectiveness of phenytoin. Do not take phenytoin within two
- to three hours of taking an antacid or antidiarrheal.
- Before starting to take phenytoin, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
- medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to phenytoin, ethotoin, or mephenytoin.
- * Before starting to take this medication, be sure to tell your doctor if
- you now have or if you have ever had blood disorders, diabetes mellitus, or
- liver disease.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery. Children should be careful while playing.
- * Before surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your doctor
- or dentist you are taking phenytoin.
- * Do not stop taking this medication unless you first consult your
- doctor. If this drug is stopped abruptly, you may experience uncontrollable
- seizures. Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce your dosage gradually.
- Be sure you have enough on hand for holidays and vacations.
- * Although several generic versions of this drug are available, you
- should not switch from one brand to another without your doctor's careful
- assessment and complete approval. If you have your medication refilled and it
- looks different, be sure to consult with your pharmacist.
- * Therapy with phenytoin may cause your gums to enlarge enough to cover
- your teeth. This can be minimized, at least partially, by frequent brushing
- and massaging of the gums with the rubber tip of a good toothbrush.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Birth defects have
- been reported more often in infants whose mothers have seizure disorders. It
- is unclear if the increased risk of birth defects is associated with the
- seizure disorders or with the anticonvulsant medications, such as phenytoin,
- that are used to treat them. Discuss this with your doctor. Also, tell your
- doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-