DILANTIN is a prescription medicine used to treat certain
types of seizures
called tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures.
Is Dilantin used for anxiety?
Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) is a medication that
calms
the electrical activity that happens in the brain during a seizure. Sometimes doctors also prescribe it to control irregular heartbeats. But it can cause panic attacks, agitation, and anxiety.
How does Dilantin make you feel?
Headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation,
dizziness
, feeling of spinning, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, or nervousness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Phenytoin may cause swelling and bleeding of the gums.
What does Dilantin do to your body?
Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Dilantin is
used to control seizures
.
What are the side effects of phenytoin Dilantin?
- headaches.
- feeling drowsy, sleepy or dizzy.
- feeling nervous, unsteady or shaky.
- feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
- constipation.
- sore or swollen gums.
- mild skin rash.
What are the symptoms of too much DILANTIN?
- Coma.
- Confusion.
- Staggering gait or walk (early sign)
- Unsteadiness, uncoordinated movements (early sign)
- Involuntary, jerky, repeated movement of the eyeballs called nystagmus (early sign)
- Seizures.
- Tremor (uncontrollable, repeated shaking of the arms or legs)
- Sleepiness.
How long does DILANTIN stay in your system?
The plasma half-life in man after oral administration of phenytoin averages 22 hours, with a range of
7 to 42 hours
. Steady-state therapeutic levels are achieved at least 7 to 10 days (5–7 half- lives) after initiation of therapy with recommended doses of 300 mg/day.
What is a good Dilantin level?
The therapeutic range is
10-20 mcg/mL
. Total phenytoin levels (mcg/mL) and typical corresponding signs and symptoms are as follows: Lower than 10 – Rare. Between 10 and 20 – Occasional mild nystagmus.
What is a drug that calms you down?
The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as
benzodiazepines
; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
Is Dilantin hard on the liver?
Dilantin (phenytoin)
can cause liver damage shortly after you start taking it
, which is why you will need regular lab tests to monitor your liver functioning. Carbamazepine and lamotrigine can also cause liver injury, which may show up after you’ve been taking either for weeks to months.
What are the long term effects of Dilantin?
Phenobarbital and phenytoin have good antiepileptic effect, but clinically significant untoward effects occur during their long-term use. Phenobarbital may cause
hyperactivity, behavioral problems, sedation, and even dementia
; these effects are dose related to some extent.
Does Dilantin affect your kidneys?
DILANTIN can
cause a type of serious allergic reaction
that may affect different parts of the body such as your liver, kidneys, blood, heart, skin or other parts of your body. These can be very serious and cause death.
Does Dilantin affect memory?
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 happens when you stop taking Dilantin?
Stopping DILANTIN suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause you to have
seizures more often
or seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Like other antiepileptic drugs, DILANTIN may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500.
Is there a difference between phenytoin and Dilantin?
Phenytoin is the generic name of a widely used antiepileptic drug (AED). In the United States, phenytoin is known by the brand names Dilantin and Phenytek (an extended-release form).
Does Dilantin cause brain damage?
For decades, Dilantin has been associated with cerebellar atrophy or degeneration, a type of brain damage caused by
the deterioration of neurons (nerve cells)
in the cerebellum (the area of the brain that controls balance and muscle coordination).
