What are phenytoin sodium tablets used for?
Phenytoin is a medicine used to treat epilepsy. It can also be used to treat trigeminal neuralgia, a type of nerve pain that affects your face. Phenytoin is available on prescription. It comes as tablets that can be chewed or dissolved in water, capsules and a liquid that you swallow.
What does phenytoin do to the brain?
Phenytoin works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Phenytoin is used to control seizures. It does not treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medicine for you.
Is phenytoin taken for life?
If phenytoin is stopped, the gum problems won’t get worse, and in some cases will go away within a few months. Long-term use of phenytoin also has been found to cause weakening of the bones. Bone disease is even more likely if a combination of seizure medicines is used.
Can phenytoin be given to children?
How should you give your child phenytoin? Give phenytoin exactly as your child’s doctor or pharmacist tells you. Talk to your child’s doctor before you stop giving this medication for any reason. You may give phenytoin with food or milk, but be consistent.
Can phenytoin cause hearing loss?
Areas covered: This article review the evidence that long-term treatment with some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) [e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, lamotrigine, gabapentin, vigabatrin and oxcarbazepine] (even in therapeutic drug doses) may result in tinnitus, phonophobia, sensorineural hearing loss, dizziness.
Is phenytoin a painkiller?
Dilantin (phenytoin) is a hydantoin anticonvulsant that is commonly used for the management of epileptic seizures. In MS patients, it is used for pain management to reduce painful sensations caused by demyelination in the sensory pathways in the brain and spinal cord.
What are the indications for phenytoin use?
Phenytoin is indicated to treat grand mal seizures, complex partial seizures, and to prevent and treat seizures during or following neurosurgery.
What causes epilepsy?
When epilepsy is diagnosed in older adults, it’s sometimes from another neurological issue, like a stroke or a brain tumor. Other causes can be related to genetic abnormalities, prior brain infection, prenatal injuries or developmental disorders. But in about half of people with epilepsy, there’s no apparent cause.
Why is phenytoin given at night?
Why Is Phenytoin Given At Night? Phenytoin is commonly administered in the evening or at night. So that by the morning, there is sufficient concentration of the drug in the tissues and blood. This would reduce the risk or chances of a morning epileptic seizure.
Does phenytoin affect memory?
Phenytoin. Phenytoin has been implicated in declines in concentration, memory, visuomotor functions and mental speed [Pulliainen and Jokelainen, 1995; Gillham et al.
Can phenytoin cause depression?
Dilantin toxicity has been well described and has generally been noted to include signs and symptoms of nystagmus, ataxia, nausea, and vomiting. Dilantin’s depressive effects are seldom mentioned.
Does phenytoin 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 is phenytoin sodium extended used for?
Phenytoin Sodium Extended. 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 is the chemical name for phenytoin?
Phenytoin sodium is an antiepileptic drug. Phenytoin sodium is related to the barbiturates in chemical structure, but has a five-membered ring. The chemical name is sodium 5,5-diphenyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, having the following structural formula:
How is phenytoin used to treat seizures?
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. Take this medication by mouth usually 2 or 3 times a day, or as directed by your doctor.
What is parenteral phenytoing sodium injection?
Parenteral Phenytoing Sodium Injection is indicated for the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus, and prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during neurosurgery. intravenous phenytoin can also be substituted, as short-term use, for oral phenytoin.