Uses of Epilax: - Epilepsy/Seizures Epilepsy, Tonic-clonic status epilepticus Pregnancy. IV admin in sinus bradycardia, heart block, or Stokes-Adams syndrome.

Adjunct anti-epileptic drugs

Phenytoin acts as an anticonvulsant by increasing efflux or decreasing influx of sodium ions across cell membranes in the motor cortex during generation of nerve impulses; thus stabilising neuronal membranes and decreasing seizure activity. It acts as an antiarrhythmic by extending the effective refractory period and suppressing ventricular pacemaker automaticity, shortening action potential in the heart.

How to use Phenytoin Sodium: Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer. Administration: IV Preparation Load IV in 250 mL NS; monitor BP IV/IM Administration Administer slowly; no more than 50 mg/min in adults and no more than 1-3 mg/kg/min in pediatric patients Adult Dose: Status epilepticus Load 10-15 mg/kg or 15-20 mg/kg at 25-50 mg/min, THEN Maintenance: 100 mg IV q6-8hr PRN Administer IV slowly; not to exceed 50 mg/min Child Dose: Status Epilepticus 15-20 mg/kg IV in single or divided dose; if necessary may administer additional dose of 5-10 mg/kg 10 min after loading dose Maintenance: 4-8 mg/kg/day IV divided twice daily

Effects with other sedative drugs or ethanol may be potentiated. Enhances toxic effects of paracetamol, lithium. Increased risk of osteomalacia with acetazolamide. Decreased serum levels/effects with acyclovir, antineoplastics, benzodiazeines, ciprofloxacin, CYP2C9 inducers (e.g. carbamazepine), CYP2C19 inducers (e.g. rifampin), folic acid, vigabatrin. Increased serum concentrations with allopurinol, capecitabine, cimetidine, CYP2C9 inhibitors (e.g. fluconazole), CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. delavirdine), disulfiram, methylphenidate, metronidazole, omeprazole, SSRI, trazodone, trimethoprim. Increases metabolism of antiarrhythmics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, chloramphenicol, corticosteroids, doxycycline, oestrogens, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, methadone, theophylline, TCAs. Decreases levels/effects of clozapine, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, CYP2B6 substrates (e.g. bupropion, selegiline), CYP2C8 substrates (e.g. amiodarone), CYP2C9 substrates (e.g. celecoxib), CYP2C19 substrates (e.g. citalopram), CYP3A4 substrates (e.g. benzodiazepines), digoxin, itraconazole, levodopa, neuromuscular-blocking agents, thyroid hormones, topiramate. Increases levels/effect of dopamine, ticlopidine. Valproic acid may displace phenytoin from binding sites; and affect phenytoin serum concentrations. Transiently increases the hypothrombinaemia response to warfarin initially, followed by an inhibition of the response. Potentially Fatal: Enhances the hypotensive properties of dopamine and the cardiac depressant properties of lidocaine.

Pregnancy. IV admin in sinus bradycardia, heart block, or Stokes-Adams syndrome.

Common - Rash - Headache - Dizziness - Vomiting - Nausea - Slurred speech - Vertigo - Confusion - Nervousness - Constipation - Tremor - Altered walking Hypersensitivity, lack of appetite, headache, dizziness, tremor, transient nervousness, insomnia, GI disturbances (e.g. nausea, vomiting, constipation), tenderness and hyperplasia of the gums, acne, hirsutism, coarsening of the facial features, rashes, osteomalacia. Phenytoin toxicity as manifested as a syndrome of cerebellar, vestibular, ocular effects, notably nystagmus, diplopia, slurred speech, and ataxia; also with mental confusion, dyskinesias, exacerbations of seizure frequency, hyperglycaemia. Solutions for inj may cause local irritation or phlebitis. Prolonged use may produce subtle effects on mental function and cognition, especially in children. Potentially Fatal: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Category D: There is positive evidence of human foetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).

Precaution: Cardiovascular disease, e.g. sinus bradycardia, heart blocks; DM; hepatic impairment; hypoalbuminemia; porphyria; seizures (may increase frequency of petit mal seizures); debilitated patients; elderly. Caution in IV admin in hypotension, heart failure or MI, monitor BP and ECG during therapy. IV must be given slowly (too rapid admin may cause hypotension, CNS depression, cardiac arrhythmias and impaired heart conduction). Extravasation and intra-arterial admin must be avoided. Do not discontinue abruptly (may increase seizure frequency), unless safety concerns require a more rapid withdrawal. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk; not recommended

The lethal dose in pediatric patients is not known. The lethal dose in adults is estimated to be 2 to 5 grams. The initial symptoms are nystagmus, ataxia, and dysarthria. Other signs are tremor, hyperreflexia, lethargy, slurred speech, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. The patient may become comatose and hypotensive. Death is caused by respiratory and circulatory depression.There are marked variations among individuals with respect to phenytoin serum levels where toxicity may occur. Nystagmus, on lateral gaze, usually appears at 20 mcg/mL, ataxia at 30 mcg/mL, dysarthria and lethargy appear when the serum concentration is over 40 mcg/mL, but as high a concentration as 50 mcg/mL has been reported without evidence of toxicity. As much as 25 times the therapeutic dose has been taken to result in a serum concentration over 100 mcg/mL with complete recovery. Irreversible cerebellar dysfunction and atrophy have been reported.Treatment: Treatment is nonspecific since there is no known antidote. The adequacy of the respiratory and circulatory systems should be carefully observed and appropriate supportive measures employed. Hemodialysis can be considered since phenytoin is not completely bound to plasma proteins. Total exchange transfusion has been used in the treatment of severe intoxication in pediatric patients. In acute overdosage the possibility of other CNS depressants, including alcohol, should be borne in mind.

Intravenous: Store at room temperature of 15-30°C.Oral:  Tablet/capsule: Store below 30°C. Protect from light and moisture; Oral suspension: Store at room temperature of 20-25°C, do not freeze, protect from light.

Adjunct anti-epileptic drugs

Phenytoin acts as an anticonvulsant by increasing efflux or decreasing influx of sodium ions across cell membranes in the motor cortex during generation of nerve impulses; thus stabilising neuronal membranes and decreasing seizure activity. It acts as an antiarrhythmic by extending the effective refractory period and suppressing ventricular pacemaker automaticity, shortening action potential in the heart.

Category D: There is positive evidence of human foetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g., if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).