A patient with recent onset primary generalized epilepsy, develops drug reaction and skin rash and neutropenia due to phenytoin sodium. The most appropriate course of action is:: (A) Shift to sodium valproate, (B) Shift to clonazepam, (C) Shift to ethosuximide, (D) Restart phenytoin after 2 weeks
Answer is A. (Ref: Katzung, 14th ed. pg. 418-19; KDT 6th ed. pg. 405)Hypersensitivity reactions like rashes, DLE, lymphadenopathy and neutropenia require that phenytoin to be stopped.