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Overview
Dilantin is one of the oldest and best studied anti-seizure medications on
the market. Although it was first developed in 1908, the drug's ability to
prevent epilepsy wasn't discovered until 1938.
Dilantin works in part by
stabilizing nerve cells and making them less excitable.
It also exerts a
similar action in the heart and is sometimes prescribed for irregular rhythms or
a painful nerve condition that affects the face called trigeminal neuralgia.
Side Effects and Interactions
Dilantin can cause a number of side effects
which are more common at higher doses.
Symptoms to be alert for include
slurred speech, confusion, clumsiness, tremor, poor coordination, dizziness,
drowsiness, uncontrollable eye movements, blurred vision, muscle twitching,
insomnia, headaches, nervousness and hyperactivity.
If these adverse
reactions do not disappear within a few weeks of starting therapy contact your
physician promptly and request a blood test.
If you develop a skin rash
call your doctor immediately. This side effect usually calls for the
discontinuation of the medicine, though this may require a gradual tapering of
the dose and the substitution of another drug.
Other less common side
effects include chest pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, water retention,
numbness or tingling of hands and feet, hair loss, fever, blood changes, weight
gain, and liver problems.
Some women note unwanted hair growth on their
faces or bodies. Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.
Many
people who take Dilantin for long periods of time experience overgrowth of the
gums. In this case good dental hygiene is especially important. Frequent dental
visits are advisable.
A large number of over-the-counter and
prescription medications may interact with Dilantin in a dangerous way.
This anticonvulsant can interfere with the transplant drug Sandimmune,
increasing the risk of rejection.
Certain other anticonvulsants may
increase Dilantin's toxicity, as may Prozac or related antidepressants.
Some drugs, such as theophylline or tuberculosis drugs, can reduce the
effectiveness of Dilantin and make people more vulnerable to seizures.
In addition, Dilantin can interfere with the effectiveness of many other
medications, including doxycycline, theophylline, birth control pills and the
heart medicine Cordarone.
Other drugs that interact with Dilantin
include alcohol, calcium-based antacids, pain relievers containing
acetaminophen, folic acid, quinidine heart drugs, the blood thinner Coumadin,
certain antidepressants and the ulcer medicines Tagamet and Prilosec.
Do
not take any other medication without first checking with your physician and
pharmacist.
Special Precautions
Determining the proper dose of Dilantin is not always easy. Some individuals metabolize this medicine more rapidly than normal and may need higher amounts.
Others, especially older people or those with liver problems may need lower doses or a different anti-seizure medication to avoid toxicity.
Periodic blood tests can help determine if the dose is appropriate.
Diabetics will need to be even more careful than usual in monitoring blood sugar.
Dilantin may interfere with normal control.
Taking the Medicine
Dilantin is best taken at meal time to increase absorption and reduce the risk of stomach upset.
Do not swallow your pill with milk, however, or take it at the same time you eat foods high in calcium, as this mineral may reduce the effectiveness of your medicine.
Did this drug work? Average rating: 3.6/5 (9 votes)
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I have had anxiety (GAD) for 33 years. Have tried SSRI'S since 1996 but didn't tolerate them well. Klonopin has worked pretty well. Have read Jack Deyfus book on treatment of mood disorders with Dilantin. What do you think about the safety of this drug in small 100mg dose?
I was on Dilantin 400mg daily for 15 years. I suffered from GAD prior to Dilantin, once I started the med the GAD pretty much disappeared. I weaned off Dilantin 7yrs ago and have suffered with GAD ever since. I strongly believe the Dilantin kept the anxiety at under control. I am going to discuss resuming the med with my MD.
My husband's dilatin was changed by the mail in pharmacy to the new generic form without notification. My husband started taking the generic form and within 5 days started feeling bad. He said he just hurt all over and had a headache. I checked his medication and realized what had happen. I call our family doctor and explained to him that the mail in pharmacy had replaced his dilatin with the generic form. He had my husband come in and ran a blood test for dilatin level and the result were the level was low.
We immediately got a new prescription and filled it at a local pharmacy. I called the mail in pharmacy and had to sent new orders to them with brand name medically necessary. We have to do this every time we fill his prescription because they say, to cut cost they are required to dispense the generic for cost savings due to requirements of the insurance companies. The average consumer needs to be educated on this practice. I feel the brand name drugs have too high a cost and the insurance companies have too much control over what is being dispensed.
This leaves the consumer at the mercy of the drug and the insurance companies. I thought the doctor who is caring for his patients and has the patients history/information should be in charge.
I am a 39 year old single mom who has been suffering major hair loss for almost ten years. I can't remember the last time I had used a hair brush on my hair. I used to have long beautiful blond hair now I deal with my bathroom floor being covered in hair all the time. I at times start to panic thinking I have cancer or something like that. I have been on Dilantin for years for seizures. Is it possible that maybe the dilantin is whats causing my major hair loss?
Question: I've been having a fever and headaches and extremely weak and tired for almost 5 months. General Practitioner can see nothing wrong in the blood work. I was referred to immunology/allergy where much testing was done with a sinus polyp found and oropharygeal contamination. So would these findings cause the symptoms of headache, fever, and extreme weakness? Or could these symptoms relate to the 300 mg of dilantin taken daily and the 600 mg of Tegretol taken daily? I've taken dilantin for 45 years and tegretol for 30 years.
An answer to this would be appreciated. I do have an apt. with my neurologist next Thursday.
LK
Our 36 year old autistic son has been on Dilantin for 25 years. One year ago he was diagnosed with the onset of Osteoporosis.
Consequently we added calcium w/ Vitamin D. About one month ago we added some food and drinks that was fortified with Calcium. On 3/27,2011 he was admitted in the hospital with nonstop seizures. His Dilantin level dropped 10 points from his therapeutic level. We suspect that the added calcium may have caused his level to drop. If anyone else has had this experience we would be interested to hear.
I have been on Dilantin since January 2011. I find taking some yogurt helps with the upset stomach I get from the medication. I also have noticed that I have gained some weight since I started (about 20 lbs.) I am also a diabetic and have been for 41 years. I would like to hear from some other long standing diabetics who are taking Dilantin. I have NOT had any epileptic seizures since I started taking it.
V. Spirk