Dilantin

Dilantin Drug Information

• Dilantin Overview

  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.

• How to Use Dilantin

  Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking phenytoin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Dilantin by mouth usually once a day or in divided doses as directed by your doctor. You may take it with food if stomach upset occurs. Take Dilantin with a full glass (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not use the capsules if discolored. Use Dilantin regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It is important to take all doses on time to keep the amount of medicine in your body at a constant level. Remember to use Dilantin at the same time(s) each day. Dosage of Dilantin is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Antacids and nutritional tube-feeding (enteral) products may decrease the absorption of phenytoin. Do not take these products at the same time as your phenytoin dose. Separate liquid nutritional products at least 1 hour before and 1 hour after your phenytoin dose, or as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Dilantin without consulting your doctor. Seizures may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.

• Dilantin Precautions

  Before taking phenytoin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other anti-seizure medications (such as carbamazepine, ethosuximide, ethotoin, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, trimethadione); or if you have any other allergies. Dilantin may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Dilantin, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,alcohol use, certain blood conditions (porphyria), diabetes, liver disease (including liver disease caused by past phenytoin use), lupus, folate or vitamin B-12 deficiency (megaloblastic anemia). Dilantin may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Alcohol may also affect your blood levels of Dilantin. Tell your doctor you are using phenytoin prior to surgery or any procedure that makes you unable to take it by mouth. If you have diabetes, Dilantin may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood (or urine) glucose level frequently, as directed by your doctor. Promptly report any abnormal results as directed. Your medicine, exercise plan, or diet may need to be adjusted. Vitamin D supplements may be necessary to prevent weakening of the bones (osteomalacia). Discuss this with your doctor. During pregnancy, Dilantin should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. However, since untreated seizures are a serious condition that can harm both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, do not stop taking Dilantin unless directed by your doctor. If you are planning pregnancy, become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, immediately talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using Dilantin during pregnancy. Since birth control pills, patches, implants, and injections may not work if taken with Dilantin (see also Drug Interactions section), discuss reliable forms of birth control with your doctor. Phenytoin passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Dilantin Misdose

  If you miss your once daily dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. If you take several doses daily and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 4 hours of the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Check with your doctor if you miss doses for more than 2 days in a row. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Dilantin Interactions

  See also How to Use section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.azapropazone, darunavir, delavirdine, dofetilide, etravirine, nisoldipine, rilpivirine, colesevelam, molindone, orlistat, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), sucralfate, telithromycin. Other medications can affect the removal of phenytoin from your body, which may affect how phenytoin works. Examples include amiodarone, azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), estrogens, isoniazid, rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, other anti-seizure medicines (such as valproic acid), among others. Phenytoin can speed up the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include atazanavir, some drugs to treat cancer (such as imatinib, irinotecan), cobicistat, corticosteroids (such as prednisone), doravirine, felodipine, quetiapine, quinidine, suvorexant, theophylline, vitamin D, among others. Dilantin may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while using Dilantin. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well. Dilantin can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use Dilantin.

• Dilantin Side Effects

  What are Dilantin side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Dilantin may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Dilantin as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Dilantin

  The side effects of Dilantin may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Dilantin. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Dilantin may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Dilantin, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Dilantin.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Dilantin, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Dilantin and the side effects associated with Dilantin are described in the following:

  Common Dilantin Side Effects

  Severe

  • CNS toxicity
  • gingival hyperplasia

  Less Severe

  • acute confusion
  • excitement
  • nystagmus
  • constipation
  • drowsy
  • dizziness
  • drug fever
  • ataxia
  • skin rash
  • slurred speech
  • nausea and vomiting
  • nervousness

  Less Frequent Dilantin Side Effects

  Severe

  • peripheral neuropathy
  • Irritability

  Less Severe

  • Paresthesia
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • jaw protrusion
  • lip hypertrophy
  • gynecomastia
  • hirsutism
  • insomnia
  • twitching
  • headache disorder
  • irritability
  • dysgeusia
  • Maculopapular Rash

  Rare or Very Rare Dilantin Side Effects

  Severe

  • disorder of vitamin D
  • Calcium Metabolism Disorder
  • pancytopenia
  • thrombocytopenic disorder
  • agranulocytosis
  • leukopenia
  • blood dyscrasias
  • paroxysmal choreoathetosis
  • polyarteritis nodosa
  • pulmonary infiltrates
  • hepatitis
  • obstructive hyperbilirubinemia
  • Peyronie's disease
  • toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • systemic lupus erythematosus
  • dyskinesia
  • hypersensitivity drug reaction
  • suicidal ideation
  • fracture
  • exfoliative dermatitis
  • acute hepatic failure
  • Acquired Dystonia
  • cerebellar atrophy
  • DRESS syndrome
  • bradycardia
  • cardiac arrest
  • granulocytopenic disorder
  • Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis
  • angioedema

  Less Severe

  • hyperglycemia
  • tremor
  • lymphadenopathy
  • behavioral disorders
  • eosinophilia
  • osteopenia
  • Coarsening of Facial Features
  • low serum thyroid hormone concentration and normal TSH

• Dilantin Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Dilantin when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.