Phenytoin
Phenytoin (PHT), sold under the brand name Dilantin among others, is an anti-seizure medication. It is useful for the prevention of tonic-clonic seizures (also known as Grand Mal seizures) and focal seizures, but not absence seizures. The intravenous form, fosphenytoin, is used for status epilepticus that does not improve with benzodiazepines. It may also be used for certain heart arrhythmias or neuropathic pain. It can be taken intravenously or by mouth. The intravenous form generally begins working within 30 minutes and is effective for 24 hours. Blood levels can be measured to determine the proper dose.
Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, poor coordination, increased hair growth, and enlargement of the gums. Potentially serious side effects include sleepiness, self harm, liver problems, bone marrow suppression, low blood pressure, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. There is evidence that use during pregnancy results in abnormalities in the baby. It appears to be safe to use when breastfeeding. Alcohol may interfere with the medication's effects.
Phenytoin was first made in 1908 by the German chemist Heinrich Biltz and found useful for seizures in 1936. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Phenytoin is available as a generic medication. In 2017, it was the 221st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than two million prescriptions.
Q576618
anti-seizure medication
Concept
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tonic-clonic seizure
Concept
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focal seizure
Concept
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absence seizure
Concept
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fosphenytoin
Concept
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status epilepticus
Concept
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benzodiazepines
Concept
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heart arrhythmia
Concept
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neuropathic pain
Concept
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intravenously
Concept
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increased hair growth
Concept
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enlargement of the gums
Concept
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sleepiness
Concept
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self harm
Concept
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bone marrow suppression
Concept
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low blood pressure
Concept
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toxic epidermal necrolysis
Concept
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breastfeeding
Concept
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Alcohol
Concept
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Heinrich Biltz
PER
Q37155
World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines
MEDIA
Q506319
generic medication
Concept
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Phenytoin
Concept
Q410400
Phenytoin
Concept
Q410400
Phenytoin
Concept
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1908
DATE
1936-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1936
DATE
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2017
DATE
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subclass of
medical condition treated
medical condition treated