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| Pronunciation |
|
 (FEN
i
toyn) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Dilantin® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Tremytoine®
(Canada) |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class I-B; Anticonvulsant, Hydantoin |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to phenytoin, other hydantoins, or any other
part of the medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is commonly used to prevent or reduce the number of
seizures a person has.
- It is also used for the treatment of migraine headaches, trigeminal
neuralgia, or other neuropathies.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Phenytoin stabilizes excitable areas in the brain where seizures may
start.
|
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- For the sustained-release capsule, swallow whole. Do not chew, break,
or crush.
- For the chewable tablet, chew or crush well. May be mixed with food or
liquid.
- A liquid (suspension) or a chewable (crushable) tablet is available if
you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid.
Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given. Stop tube feeding at
least 2 hours before and after medicine is given. If liquid (suspension) is
chosen, shake well before use. Chewable tablet may be given through a feeding
tube after crushing and mixing with water.
- If the liquid is given through a feeding tube, do not give at the same
time as nutritional liquids. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If taken once daily, take at a similar time every day.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased. May cause
seizures.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Wear disease medical alert identification for seizure disorder.
- If you are 65 or older, may may have more side effects. You could feel
confused, tired, and sleepy.
- Do not change make or dosage form. Dosage may need adjustment. Talk to
healthcare provider.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- If you are taking this medicine for seizures, make sure that you
follow your state's laws about driving. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). It changes how the
body handles this medicine making it either more or less effective depending on
how you drink alcohol.
- Avoid other depressant medicines (sedatives, tranquilizers, mood
stabilizers, pain medicine) that slow your actions and reactions. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Take good care of your teeth (brushing, flossing).
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control
while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you. Confusion, being tired, mood changes, or slurred speech can occur
too.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or
unsteady.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Periodic phenytoin levels (blood work) are required. Talk with
healthcare provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Nausea, vomiting, or muscle aches.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
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|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- Protect capsules from moisture.
- Do not freeze liquid
(suspension).
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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