MDAdvice.com - Health Library - Pediatric Symptoms & Illnesses

ANTICONVULSANTS, HYDANTOIN

ANTICONVULSANTS, HYDANTOIN
MDAdvice.com Home > Health Library > Pediatric Symptoms and Illnesses >

ANTICONVULSANTS, HYDANTOIN

BRAND & GENERIC NAMES

Dantoin Diabinese
Dilantin Dimelor
Dilantin Infatabs Dymelor
Dilantin Kapseals Euglucon
Dilantin-125 Glibenclamide
Dilantin-30-Pediatric GLIPIZIDE
Di-Phen Glucamide
Diphenylan Glucotrol
Diphenylhydantoin GLYBURIDE
ETHOTOIN Micronase
MEPHENYTOIN Mobenol
Mesantoin Novobutamide
Novophenytoin Novopropamide
Peganone Oramide
PHENYTOIN Orinase
ANTIDIABETICS, ORAL Ronase
ACETOHEXAMIDE SK-Tolbutamide
Apo-Chlorpropamide TOLAZAMIDE
Apo-Tolbutamide TOLBUTAMIDE
CHLORPROPAMIDE Tolinase
DiaBeta

BASIC INFORMATION

Habit forming? No

Prescription needed? Yes

Available as generic? Yes

Drug class: Anticonvulsant (hydantoin)

USES

Prevents epileptic seizures.

Stabilizes irregular heartbeat.

DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION

How to take:

Capsule--Swallow with liquid.

Chewable tablets--Chew carefully before swallowing.

Suspension--Shake well before taking with liquid. When to take: At the same time each day. If you forget a dose:

If drug taken 1 time per day--Take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If more than 12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

If taken several times per day--Take as soon as possible, then return to regular schedule. What drug does: Promotes sodium loss from nerve fibers. This lessens excitability and inhibits spread of nerve impulses.

Time lapse before drug works:
7 to 10 days continual use.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Jerky eye movements; stagger; slurred speech; imbalance;
drowsiness; blood-pressure drop; slow, shallow breathing; coma.
WHAT TO DO:

Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.

See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.

POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO

Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
Enlarged, tender, Continue. Call doctor
receding gums with when convenient.
increased likelihood
of bleeding; nausea;
vomiting; constipation;
mild dizziness;
sleeplessness.
Infrequent:

Hallucinations, Discontinue. Call confusion, slurred doctor right away. speech, stagger, rash, change in vision.

Headache, diarrhea, Continue. Call doctor drowsiness, muscle when convenient. twitching.

Increased body Continue. Tell doctor and facial hair. at next visit. Rare: Sore throat, fever, Discontinue. Call stomach pain, doctor right away. unusual bleeding or bruising, swollen lymph glands, jaundice.

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any hydantoin anticonvulsant.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

If you have had impaired liver function or disease.

If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia. Pregnancy: Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use. Infants & children: Use only under medical supervision. Prolonged use:

Weakened bones.

Lymph gland enlargement.

Possible liver damage.

Numbness and tingling of hands and feet.

Continual back-and-forth eye movements.

Bleeding, swollen or tender gums. Skin & sunlight: May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp. Driving or hazardous activities: Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes. Discontinuing: Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment. Others: No age-related problems expected.

Anticoagulants Increased effect of

(see Drugs Glossary) anticoagulant.

Antidepressants, Decreased hydantoin

tricyclic (TCA, anticonvulsant effect.

see Drugs Glossary) Dose may require adjustment.

Barbiturates Changed seizure pattern.

(see Drugs Glossary)

Carbamazepine Possible increased hydantoin

anticonvulsant metabolism.

Carbonic anhydrase Increased chance of

inhibitors bone disease.

(see Drugs Glossary)

Chloramphenicol Increased hydantoin anticonvulsant

effect.

Cimetidine Increased hydantoin anticonvulsant

toxicity.

Contraceptives (oral, Increased seizures.

see Drugs Glossary) Menstrual irregularities.

Cortisone drugs Decreased cortisone

(see Drugs Glossary) effect.

Cyclosporine May decrease cyclosporine effect.

Digitalis preparations Decreased digitalis

(see Drugs Glossary) effect.

Disopyramide Decreased disopyramide effect.

Disulfiram Increased hydantoin anticonvulsant

effect.

Encainide Increased effect of toxicity on

heart muscle.

Estrogens Increased estrogen

(see Drugs Glossary) effect.

Furosemide Decreased furosemide effect.

Gold compounds Increased phenytoin

(see Drugs Glossary) blood levels. Phenytoin dose may

require adjustment.

Griseofulvin Increased griseofulvin effect.

Hypoglycemics (oral, Possible decreased

see Drugs Glossary) hypoglycemic effect.

Isoniazid Increased phenytoin effect.

Leucovorin May counteract the effect of

phenytoin or any hydantoin

anticonvulsant.

Loxapine Decreased anticonvulsant effect of

phenytoin or any hydantoin

anticonvulsant.

MAO inhibitors Increased polythiazide

(see Drugs Glossary) effect.

Methadone Decreased methadone effect.

Methylphenidate Increased phenytoin effect.

Molindone Increased phenytoin effect.

Nitrates Excessive

(see Drugs Glossary) blood-pressure drop.

Oxyphenbutazone Increased phenytoin effect.

Para-aminosalicylic Increased phenytoin

acid (PAS) effect.

Phenothiazines Increased

(see Drugs Glossary) phenytoin effect.

Phenylbutazone Increased phenytoin effect.

Potassium supplements Decreased

(see Drugs Glossary) potassium effect.

Probenecid Decreased probenecid effect.

Propranolol Increased propranolol effect.

Quinidine Increased quinidine effect.

Sedatives Increased

(see Drugs Glossary) sedative effect.

Sulfa drugs Increased

(see Drugs Glossary) phenytoin effect.

Theophylline Reduced anticonvulsant effect.

Trimethoprim Increased phenytoin effect.

Valproic acid Unpredictable change in seizure

control.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Tobacco: None expected.

From Complete Guide to Pediatric Symptoms, Illness & Medications by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright by Putnam Publishing Group. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.