Phenytoin (By injection)

FEN-i-toin

Treats and prevents seizures.

Drug classes

Anticonvulsant (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Phenytoin injection is used to control certain types of seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also used to prevent and treat seizures that occur during brain surgery. This medicine is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures.

This medicine is to be given only or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

This medicine is usually given only for a short time when you cannot take oral medicine, such as when you are in the hospital or when you have surgery.

A nurse or other health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.

After your condition improves, your doctor might switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about this.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine together with delavirdine.

The list below includes some of the medicines that can interact with phenytoin. There are many other drugs not listed. Make sure your doctor knows the names of all the medicines you use.

Tell your doctor if you are using St John’s wort, albendazole, amiodarone, aspirin, chlordiazepoxide, cyclosporine, diazepam, diazoxide, digoxin, disulfiram, folic acid, furosemide, isoniazid, methylphenidate, nisoldipine, praziquantel, quinidine, reserpine, rifampin, theophylline, tolbutamide, or vitamin D.

Tell your doctor if you are using cancer medicine, birth control pills, medicine to treat an infection (including a sulfa drug, medicine to treat HIV/AIDS, or medicine for a fungus infection), a steroid medicine, medicine to lower cholesterol, medicine to treat depression, a phenothiazine medicine, a blood thinner (such as ticlopidine, warfarin), or stomach medicine.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to phenytoin or similar medicines, or if you are pregnant or have certain heart rhythm problems.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, low blood pressure, or porphyria.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Serious skin reactions (may happen after treatment has stopped) Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart Liver damage Decreased levels of blood cells, which may cause bleeding or increase your risk for infection Purple glove syndrome, which may damage skin and tissues near the injection site Higher blood sugar levels

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, lightheadedness or fainting

Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

Fever, skin rash, or swollen glands in your armpits, neck, or groin

Pain, changes in skin color, sores, peeling, or swelling at or near the injection site

Severe confusion, problems with balance or walking, slurred speech, tremors

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dizziness, feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

Mild nausea or vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Novaplus Phenytoin Sodium

There may be other brand names for this medicine.