What is the therapeutic use of phenytoin?
Phenytoin is used to control certain type of seizures, and to treat and prevent seizures that may begin during or after surgery to the brain or nervous system. Phenytoin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
When should phenytoin levels be checked?
After a patient has received a loading dose of intravenous phenytoin, levels can be checked one hour after the dose. If loading is achieved by oral dosing, phenytoin levels can be checked 24 hours after the last dose10. This level can aid in determining maintenance dose or need to reload.
What is the antidote for DILANTIN?
There is no antidote, and there is no evidence that any method of gastrointestinal decontamination or enhanced elimination improves outcome. Activated charcoal should be considered if the patient presents early; however, the role of multiple-dose activated charcoal is controversial.
Does phenytoin have a low therapeutic index?
It has a narrow therapeutic index and the relationship between dose and serum phenytoin concentration is non-linear. A small change in dose can result in a large increase in serum concentration and can result in acute toxicity.
When do you monitor phenytoin levels?
A level can be taken 2-4 hours following an IV loading or top-up dose (12-24 hours for oral doses) and levels should then be monitored every 24 hours until control is achieved and concentration has stabilised.
When should phenytoin levels be taken?
What is Dilantin 100 mg used for?
DILANTIN is a prescription medicine used to treat certain types of seizures called tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures and to prevent and treat seizures that happen during or after brain surgery.
Why are Dilantin levels low?
2. Drugs which may decrease phenytoin levels include: carbamazepine, chronic alcohol abuse, reserpine, and sucralfate. Moban® brand of molindone hydrochloride contains calcium ions which interfere with the absorption of phenytoin.
What are the side effects of too much Dilantin?
They may include:
- Coma.
- Confusion.
- Staggering gait or walk (early sign)
- Unsteadiness, uncoordinated movements (early sign)
- Involuntary, jerky, repeated movement of the eyeballs called nystagmus (early sign)
- Seizures.
- Tremor (uncontrollable, repeated shaking of the arms or legs)
- Sleepiness.
How often do we check Dilantin level?
What is narrow therapeutic range?
Narrow therapeutic index drugs are drugs where small differences in dose or blood concentration may lead to serious therapeutic failures and/or adverse drug reactions that are life-threatening or result in persistent or significant disability or incapacity.
What is low therapeutic index drugs?
Narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drugs are defined as those drugs where small differences in dose or blood concentration may lead to dose and blood concentration dependent, serious therapeutic failures or adverse drug reactions.
Does phenytoin need therapeutic drug monitoring?
Therapeutic drug monitoring of phenytoin is necessary to ensure therapeutic and nontoxic levels. Hypoalbuminemia, renal failure, and interactions with other highly protein-bound drugs (e.g., valproic acid) alter protein binding of phenytoin.