Tag: Phenytoin

Over 500 medications, substances, and supplements have been reported to interact with the anti-seizure drug phenytoin. Knowing what should not be taken with phenytoin is critical for managing its effectiveness, preventing toxicity, and avoiding serious health complications.

As one of the oldest and most widely prescribed anticonvulsant medications, Dilantin (phenytoin) has been a staple in seizure management since its FDA approval in 1939. Its primary purpose is to control and prevent specific types of seizures, providing a clear answer to the question: **Why would someone take Dilantin?** This guide explores the drug's approved indications, mechanism of action, important safety considerations, and its evolving role in modern medicine.

Drug-induced gingival hyperplasia (DIGH), or the overgrowth of gum tissue, was first documented as a side effect of the anti-seizure medication phenytoin in 1939. Today, this condition can be caused by several classes of drugs, and understanding **what medication makes your gums grow** is crucial for patients and healthcare providers.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, most individuals taking phenytoin (sold under the brand name EPTOin) do not experience severe issues, though some side effects are common. These effects can range from mild, often manageable symptoms to rare but life-threatening conditions, making it crucial for patients to understand what are the side effects of EPTOin.

Originally approved by the FDA in 1939 for epilepsy, the anticonvulsant medication phenytoin has demonstrated efficacy beyond its primary purpose. While known primarily for its ability to stabilize electrical activity in the brain to prevent seizures, many medical professionals have found that phenytoin can be used for a variety of other conditions, including certain types of nerve pain and cardiac issues. This exploration into what else can phenytoin be used for reveals its versatile pharmacological profile, although some uses remain based on limited evidence.

According to UK clinical guidelines, patients should be advised to continue their regular medications, including phenytoin, on the day of surgery unless specifically instructed otherwise by their doctor. This is because managing your anti-seizure medication is a critical aspect of surgical preparation, requiring careful coordination with your healthcare team to ensure a safe procedure and prevent complications.

Status epilepticus, a life-threatening medical emergency, requires rapid intervention, and a **Dilantin injection is used for** the urgent termination of this severe seizure activity. This intravenous formulation of phenytoin is essential in hospital settings where oral administration is not feasible and quick therapeutic drug levels are needed.

While both affect ion channels in the body, phenytoin is primarily known for its role as a sodium channel blocker, not a calcium channel blocker. A critical distinction lies in their primary target: phenytoin stabilizes inactive sodium channels to control seizures, while calcium channel blockers inhibit the influx of calcium to manage conditions like hypertension and angina.

Over 400,000 cases of severe preeclampsia and eclampsia are reported annually in the US, conditions for which magnesium sulfate is a primary treatment. However, when considering treatment options for various conditions, the question arises: what can you use instead of magnesium sulfate when it is unavailable or contraindicated?.

Intravenous (IV) administration of phenytoin, an anti-seizure medication, is the overwhelmingly primary cause of a rare and potentially serious adverse reaction known as purple glove syndrome (PGS). Affecting anywhere from 1.7% to 5.9% of patients receiving IV phenytoin, this condition can cause severe pain, swelling, and discoloration of the hand and forearm.