Table of Contents
- 1 How much is too much phenytoin?
- 2 Is 300 mg of Dilantin too much?
- 3 Can you overdose of phenytoin?
- 4 Can you overdose on seizure medicine?
- 5 What type of seizures does phenytoin treat?
- 6 How does phenytoin stop seizures?
- 7 How long does it take for phenytoin to work?
- 8 When should phenytoin levels be taken?
- 9 What happens if you miss a dose of phenytoin?
- 10 How often should I take phenytoin for trigeminal neuralgia?
How much is too much phenytoin?
Twenty to 30 mg/L: Nystagmus. Thirty to 40 mg/L: Ataxia, slurred speech, tremor, nausea, and vomiting. Forty to 50 mg/L: Lethargy, confusion, hyperactivity. Greater than 50 mg/L: Coma and seizures.
Is 300 mg of Dilantin too much?
The recommended starting dosage for pediatric patients is 5 mg/kg/day by mouth in two or three equally divided doses, with subsequent dosage individualized to a maximum of 300 mg daily in divided doses. A recommended daily maintenance dosage is usually 4 to 8 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses.
What is Phenytoin 100mg used for?
Phenytoin is used to prevent and control seizures (also called an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug). It works by reducing the spread of seizure activity in the brain.
Can you overdose of phenytoin?
An overdose of phenytoin can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include twitching eye movements, slurred speech, loss of balance, tremor, muscle stiffness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing.
Can you overdose on seizure medicine?
Overdose with the two drugs separately is common, but there are no reports of intoxication by simultaneous ingestion. High levels of carbamazepine and valproic acid can lead to severe systemic effects and management is made difficult by the absence of specific antidotes.
What happens when Dilantin level is too high?
The NIH notes that very high levels of Dilantin may even lead to seizures, the same condition the drug is meant to control. Symptoms of Dilantin toxicity may include the following: Fast, uncontrollable eye movements or double vision (nystagmus) Dizziness, drowsiness, or confusion.
What type of seizures does phenytoin treat?
Phenytoin is effective for treating generalized tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures with or without generalization, and convulsive status epilepticus.
How does phenytoin stop seizures?
Phenytoin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. Phenytoin works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Phenytoin is used to control seizures. It does not treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medicine for you.
What does a high Dilantin level mean?
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.
How long does it take for phenytoin to work?
It usually takes around 4 weeks for phenytoin to work properly. This is because the dose of phenytoin needs to be increased slowly to prevent side effects. You may still have seizures or pain during this time. Is it safe to take phenytoin for a long time?
When should phenytoin levels be taken?
A level can be taken 2-4 hours following an IV loading or top-up dose (12-24 hours for oral doses) and levels should then be monitored every 24 hours until control is achieved and concentration has stabilised.
How often can you take phenytoin at a time?
Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will start you on a low dose of phenytoin and gradually increase your dose, not more often than once every 7 to 10 days. Different phenytoin products are absorbed by the body in different ways and cannot be substituted for one another.
What happens if you miss a dose of phenytoin?
If you take phenytoin and miss a dose: once a day – take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s less than 12 hours before the next dose is due, it’s better to leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.
How often should I take phenytoin for trigeminal neuralgia?
The usual dose to treat trigeminal neuralgia in adults is between 300mg and 500mg a day, taken as 1 or 2 doses. It’s usual to take phenytoin once or twice a day.
Can you switch phenytoin from one drug to another?
Different phenytoin products are absorbed by the body in different ways and cannot be substituted for one another. If you need to switch from one phenytoin product to another, your doctor may need to adjust your dose.