What is Dilantin toxicity?

What is Dilantin toxicity? Dilantin, or phenytoin, toxicity happens when you have high levels of Dilantin in your body that become harmful. Dilantin is a medicine that is used to prevent and treat seizures. Dilantin toxicity can lead to a coma.

What are the adverse effects of phenytoin and why explain?

Side Effects 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 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.

When was Dilantin first used?

Although it was invented in 1908 as a chemical that could prevent convulsions during electroshock treatment, its popularity grew quickly, and as early as 1940, it was hailed as initiating a whole new epoch of anti-epilepsy drugs, motivating researchers to seek even more effective medications and pharmaceutical …

What does Dilantin do to your brain?

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 happens if 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.

What are the long term effects of phenytoin?

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….The most common ones affect appearance:

• overgrowth of the gums.
• excessive hair on the face or body.
• acne.
• coarseness of facial features.

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 organ is affected by DILANTIN?

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. Phenytoin does not treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medicine for you.

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.

Is Dilantin still used?

Dilantin is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. It is now often used as a second-line approach to seizures, but it still remains very crucial in the treatment of status epilepticus, seizures that occur following surgery, or seizures that occur in a hospital.

What drug class is Dilantin?

Phenytoin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

What are the health risks of Dilantin?

severe rashes, lymph node reactions, increased blood sugar levels, liver injury, decreased platelet or white blood cell counts, anemia, weakening of the bones (osteomalacia), and an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior.

What are the side effects of Dilantin?

Common side effects of Dilantin include: congenital anomalies. Other side effects include: hepatic necrosis, ataxia, confusion, constipation, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, hypertrichosis, mental status changes, myasthenia, nervousness, numbness, tremor, tremor of hands, vertigo, excitement, irritability, mood changes, and restlessness.

What is Dilantin toxicity, know its signs, symptoms, treatment?

The most common signs of Dilantin toxicity includes lethargy, dizziness, drowsiness and rapid eye movements. People who presume to have Dilantin toxicity must contact their healthcare provider immediately to alleviate the symptoms and treat the condition.

Is Dilantin a controlled substance?

Dilantin is not a major drug of abuse; its use does not produce significant euphoria even though it may be used to control certain types of pain; and the drug is not considered to be a controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, although its use does require a prescription.