Phenytoin

Phenytoin is a type of drug that blocks seizure activity in the brain. It can only be given to you when your healthcare provider prescribes it.

Phenytoin is used to prevent and control seizures when you or your child have a seizure or seizure disorder. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe this medicine for other conditions not stated here.

Phenytoin is a drug that helps to control and prevent seizures. It works by stopping abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Phenytoin is a prescription-only medicine. You should not take this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to it before. Do not use this medicine if you have liver disease or if you have a disorder of the bone that makes your bones soft.

• Phenytoin comes as capsules by mouth, suspension for children, and injectables to be injected in your veins by a healthcare provider.
• Swallow the capsule whole, do not open, crush or chew the capsule.
• Shake the suspension well before giving your child and measure with the measuring device that came with the drug. Do not use a regular tablespoon to measure. This may result in you giving the wrong dose to your child.
• Do not intentionally skip a dose or stop taking this medicine. Doing this can put you at risk of having a seizure that is then more difficult to treat.
• In case you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if you remember at a time close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next dose.
• If you take more of this medicine than what was prescribed for you, go to the nearest healthcare provider (with the remaining medicine) and report the overdose.

You may experience mild unpleasant effects of this medicine. Here are examples of some common side-effect you may experience:

• You may have a headache.
• You may feel dizzy or drowsy.
• You may have trouble sleeping.
• Feeling like you want to vomit and vomiting.
• Your gums may swell and bleed.

You should mention these or other unpleasant effects to your healthcare provider, especially if the effects stay longer than a week.

• You must inform your healthcare provider if you have any other condition like liver or kidney disease. This will help them check your risk for any severe unpleasant effects.
• Do not take phenytoin if you have a disorder of the bone that makes your bones soft, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you had had a bad reaction to the medicine before, like a rash that went away when you stopped taking it.
• Do not use other drugs, supplements and herbal products with this drug without first confirming with your healthcare provider.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks while you are taking phenytoin. Taking alcohol may change the level of phenytoin in your blood, affecting the way the drug works.