Dilantin vs. Phenytek

Common side effects of Dilantin include:

• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• slurred speech,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• swollen or tender gums,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• nervousness,
• tremors, or
• rash.

Common side effects of Phenytek include:

• problems with walking and coordination,
• slurred speech,
• confusion,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping,
• nervousness,
• tremor,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• rash, and
• thinning bones (osteoporosis).

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including Phenytek, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Tell your doctor if this occurs while taking Phenytek.

Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant, used to control seizures.

Phenytek (extended phenytoin sodium capsule) is an antiepileptic drug indicated for the control of generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures and prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during or following neurosurgery.

Dilantin may interact with stomach acid reducers, sedatives, antidepressants, estrogen hormone replacement, phenothiazines, disulfiram, methylphenidate, sulfa drugs, carbamazepine, sucralfate, molindone, phenobarbital, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, steroids, antibiotics, digoxin, furosemide, or theophylline. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Phenytek may interact with alcohol, amiodarone, other anti-epileptic drugs, azoles, capecitabine, chloramphenicol, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, disulfiram, estrogens, fluorouracil, fluoxetine, fluvastatin, fluvoxamine, H2-antagonists, halothane, isoniazid, methylphenidate, omeprazole, phenothiazines, salicylates, sertraline, succinimides, sulfonamides, ticlopidine, tolbutamide, trazodone, warfarin, anticancer drugs usually in combination, carbamazepine, diazepam, diazoxide, folic acid, fosamprenavir, nelfinavir, reserpine, rifampin, ritonavir, St. John's Wort, sucralfate, theophylline, vigabatrin, some supplements or antacids (containing calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide), neuromuscular blocking agents, phenobarbital, sodium valproate, and valproic acid. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking Phenytek; it may harm a fetus. Pregnant patients taking Phenytek are advised to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. Phenytek passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding while taking Phenytek is not recommended. Abrupt withdrawal of Phenytek in epileptic patients may precipitate status epilepticus.

Patients may be started on one 100-mg Dilantin Extended Oral Capsule three times daily. For most adults, the maintenance dosage is one capsule three to four times a day. The initial pediatric dose is 5 mg/kg/day in two or three equally divided doses, with dosage individualized to a maximum of 300 mg daily. Daily maintenance dosage is usually 4 to 8 mg/kg.

Patients who have received no previous treatment may be started on one 100 mg extended Phenytek capsule three times daily and the dosage then adjusted to suit individual requirements.