Dilantin and the liver
Common Questions and Answers about Dilantin and the liver
dilantin
Does prednisone effect dilantin and lamictal levels? I've been on dilantin and lamictal for over 5 years for seizures. I'm being tested for autoimmune hepatitis, I just had a liver biopsy. I don't want to take a chance on having a seizure.
I take lamictal 400mg x day and 400 mg of dilantin. For the diabetes, I take 6 units of lantus insulin and 800 mg of glucopage and 4 mg of amaril. I also take 200 mg of Milk Thisle daily. I have been not sleeping well, and my blood sugar level averages 260. I am age 54.But during the day I have a completely normal life, no seisures since 2004-2005.
I feel a buzz in my ears 24/7 and I can't understand why, My blood pressure is always 120/80...any recomendations ?
I have researched and spoken with my doctor about it and was told that after taking Dilantin for so long the liver, for the lack of a better way of describing it, builds up a tolerance to the medication and hypermetabolize it. This causes a low level but is often blamed on non-compliance. I guess the solution is to change the medication regimen to something easier on the liver.
I've been taking 500mg of dilantin for 15 years now as a result of brain surgery and it's been hell. It ruins my teeth, 8 years ago I had my entire mouth rebuilt but now it all needs redone. I'm told some people in this small Costa Rican town think I'm a drunk but I haven't drank even beer for more than 20 years.
My neurologist just informed me that Osteoporosis and shrinkage of the Cerebellum are very serious side effects for long term users of Dilantin. Does anyone know more about this?
I've been taking 500mg of Dilantin for over 30 years since I was a teenager, and now I'm terribly worried. Not one of the neurologists had mentioned anything about this over the years, and now at 46, I've learned that I may have severe osteoporosis.
I have a TSH of 0.24 and T4 of 1.04. I have been on Dilantin for 30 years. I have been on Thyroid replacement therapy for 18 years with monthly injection of B12. I have had extreme fatigue and chest pains. Seeing neurologist for medicine change and have be referred to endocrinologist. How concerned should I be? What tests should be given? Is this my pituitary gland?
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She was on Dilantin for at least six months post-op as I recall. An EEG cleared her to exit Dilantin. As for the dreams and the other symptoms you may want to consider the following:
1) Migraines come in all flavors including pounding and silent - a neurologist could help you further with this. I wouldn't rule this out as a cause however and there are some good medications to help.
Hello Dear,
Stopping Dilantin quickly is not recommended. Although Dilantin is not addicting and is not likely to be abused, stopping it too quickly can cause seizures to worsen.
Dilantin Withdrawal Symptoms
The most significant Dilantin withdrawal symptom is a seizure. Suddenly stopping Dilantin can increase your risk of seizures These seizures can be especially severe and very difficult to control.
The hospital noticed her Dilantin levels were low, and put her on an IV of Dilantin. The next day she seem fine. They discharged her. The hospital never really diagnosed her, but her general doctor said it was a stroke based on high cholesterol, even thought no stroke showed in the MRI. She was weak for about a week afterward, but pretty much fully recovered.
This past week, she started feeling dizzy again.
That is what I thought. After 11 years on dilantin after the one fit, as drs said be on it infinatum, I had a second stroke- no speech. I had to get my medical records from our local hospital, and they show that at that time the dilantin level was only 2, was on 230mg a day.
9 years later, I was finishing my PhD, and felt as though might have another stroke, visual and other problems. Local doctors or hospital did not check dilantin levels- thought I had mental problems.
I had a mildly elevated AST and ALT level during a non fasting blood test in January of 2018. I repeated the non fasting liver blood tests 30 days later and they came back normal. They also tested my Ferritin level during the repeat test. It came back high. Shortly after I then took another blood test for hemochromatosis and hepatitis . The hepatitis tests came back negative.
I called Pfizer (800) 438-1985 and asked them about the difference between the old Dilantin and the new Dilantin. This is what I was told:
1. The capsules are different. The two halves of the old one were sealed with a band, and the new one is self-locking.
2. The ingredients are bioequivalent, but they may not be identical in type or quantity. That means that tests indicate that the body reacts virtually the same to both versions.
3. The ingredients are secret. The amounts are secret.
3 and they gave him a loading dose of 500mg. PO of dilantin, and 500mg. IV Dilantin. He is very regimented taking his Dilantin and does not miss doses.
And told him to take 400mgs. today.
I have a call in to our family Dr. and waiting for a return.
We were being seen by a Neurologist, but she abruptly cancelled my husbands January appt. and said she was leaving town for a month, and did not refer us to any other Dr. so we saw the family Dr. who is prescribing.
At my third appointment my neurologist put me on the name brand Dilantin and reduced the dosage to 400 mg. I am finally starting to feel better by degrees.
My questions:
1. Could I have become toxic on the generic Dilantin even though I was within range?
2. Some of the information I have looked at on the internet shows ranges as high as 40-50. It was my understanding that a level of 10-20 is preferred. What is correct?
3.
Two meta-analyses (an analytic study combining the results of several clinical trials) done by Sirven, et al (2004) and Tremont-Lukats, et al (2008) showed no benefit to giving anti-epileptic drugs in general, and Dilantin in particular, to patients with brain tumors in order to prevent an initial seizure. Your husband may have an option not to take Dilantin since there's no difference in outcome.
You can check out the articles yourself:
www.mayoclinicproceedings.
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