phenytoin therapy

Hello. You have correctly interpreted your research on the topic. And this article does say the same. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8520091 It says, "...Serum folate decreases when phenytoin therapy is initiated alone with no folate supplementation. Folic acid supplementation in folate-deficient patients with epilepsy changes the pharmacokinetics of phenytoin, usually leading to lower serum phenytoin concentrations and possible seizure breakthrough...

Combining fluoxetine or paroxetine with phenytoin can also lead to increased phenytoin side effects and reduce blood levels of paroxetine. You really need to discuss the potential drug interactions with your own doctor.

You should tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms while taking phenytoin, so that your blood level of phenytoin can be measured and your dose reduced if necessary. " Also, he has had a major surgery, and will need time to recover. However, any changes need to be reported to the doctor.

Physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS and psychological therapy, occupational therapy for coping with pain is necessary. Antidepressants or tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and nortriptiline. Neuroleptics like carbamazepine, felbamate, valproic acid, clonazepam and phenytoin alongwith gabapentin are effective. Local anesthetic agents like intravenous application of lidocaine, tocainide or mexiletene, can be prescribed as combination.

Moban® brand of molindone hydrochloride contains calcium ions which interfere with the absorption of phenytoin. Ingestion times of phenytoin and antacid preparations containing calcium should be staggered in patients with low serum phenytoin levels to prevent absorption problems”. Taken from http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/phenyt_od.htm Our population is divided into 4 type of metabolizers ranging from rapid to slow metabolizers depending upon the speed of elimination of drug from body.

CT scan or spine MRI, spine or neck x-ray, EMG, myelogram etc. conservative therapy includes NSAIDs, narcotic or muscle relaxants, physical therapy to learn exercises, cortisone injections to specific areas of spine, drugs like phenytoin, carbamazepine, tricyclic antidepressants etc. Hope this helps. Take care.

Thank you for your question, you are relatively fine with Phenytoin and the seizure episodes in a form of lack of speech are the residue of a generalized type seizure. I don’t have a full description of your consciousness during the lack of speech episodes to decide whether this start is a partial epilepsy which can continue in a generalized or it is a generalized one from the first moment..

Hello AB, welcome to the medhelp forum. Phenytoin can cause certain side effects like dizziness and mental confusion. Some people may also manifest incoordinate movements. Weight gain is not a documented side effect. It could be related to your alcohol consumption or wrong dietary habits and lack of exercise. An occasional one or two drink may be fine but moderate or large amount can cause significant increases in blood levels of phenytoin due to induction of hepatic enzymes.

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?

During those times I had not yet been diagnosed and was able to go back to life like normal, however after the diagnosis and being on phenytoin and switching to oxcarbazepine i am feeling awful. Dizzy, nauseated, moody, extremely tired, severe headaches that come and go. All i get from my Neurologist is these are side effects that will eventually go away. Because i never know when these symptoms will come on too strong I have missed a lot of days at work during my probation period.

Patients who take these medications (regularly or daily) should undergo monthly laboratory testing for the first three months of therapy and then every three to six months because of the association between these medications and liver disease.

I totally forgot to tell you that he is on Phenytoin 100mg once daily. Can this be continued and taken for a long period of time? Thank you doctor once again for your immediate reply.

91-96). Thyroxine therapy for hypothyroidism has also been shown to induce seizures in certain cases (Neurology. 1985;135:1792-1793). This pro-seizure effect on the brain is not well defined, other than to say that it is believed to be a direct action on cerebral cells by thyroid hormone. Seizures have also been reported in patients who were previously “controlled” on a stable dose of anticonvulsant when thyroxine replacement therapy was initiated (Neurology. 1996;47:605-606).

Addition of other antiepileptic drugs like phenytoin,lamotrigene and sedatives will be helpful for controll of his night symptoms.

Quinine or phenytoin may decrease cramps. Physical therapy often helps prevent joint immobility. Speech therapy may be useful for those with involvement of the facial muscles. PLS is not fatal. There is no cure, and the progression of symptoms varies. Some people may retain the ability to walk without assistance, but others eventually require wheelchairs, canes, or other assistive devices The NINDS conducts a broad range of research on neuromuscular disorders such as PLS.

ve heard of that might help with the itch are trying the over the counter antihistamines or antihistamine hydroxyzine (Atarax), anticonvulsants (e.g. gabapentin, carbamazepine, phenytoin), antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, paroxetine, mirtazapine), and even Pregabelin (Lyrica)....

A few weeks ago I woke up with yellow crust on the corner of my lips and it went away in 2 days, and today I woke up and it's in the exact same spot again except a little more then before. It doesn't hurt or itch, it feels like my lips are very very dry. I don't smoke, I have grandmal seizures and my medication is phenytoin and kepra but I didn't read anywhere that would be a side effect so I'm worried this could be a STD or something.

drugs like gabapentin, phenytoin are used for hemifacial spasm. Other options are botulinum injections and microvascular decompression surgery. Hope this helps. Take care.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this community. 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.

consult a neurologist immediately, a balanced diet, foods high in potassium, calcium and magnesium, massages to relieve physical stress and fatigue, vitamin B complex rich foods,certain drugs like gabapentin, phenytoin,carbamazepine, botulinum toxin injections. Take care.

Phenytoin therapy

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