Dilantin

Neurosurgery, Epilepsy, Seizures + 9 more
Treatment
3 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Dilantin

What is Dilantin

PhenytoinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryPhenytoin is a type of medication used to control seizures and is one of the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsants. It has been used for around 80 years and is also investigated for other conditions, such as bipolar disorder, retina protection, and wound healing. Medical professionals may recommend checking the levels of phenytoin in the body to ensure the right amount is being taken, as too much or too little can cause side effects. Both oral and injection forms of phenytoin are available.
Dilantin-125is the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Dilantin Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Dilantin-125
Phenytoin
1953
163

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Phenytoin, otherwise known as Dilantin-125, is approved by the FDA for 3 uses which include Status; Epilepticus, Tonic-clonic and Neurosurgery .
Status; Epilepticus, Tonic-clonic
Neurosurgery
Epilepsy

Effectiveness

How Dilantin Affects PatientsPhenytoin is a type of drug used to prevent seizures. It is important to take the right dose, which is usually between 10-20 mg/L, but can be harder to determine due to things like body composition and genetics. Phenytoin has to be unbound from proteins in order to work, so taking other medications that interfere with proteins can affect the effectiveness of the drug.
How Dilantin works in the bodyPhenytoin is a medication used to prevent seizures by blocking sodium channels in the brain. It was first developed in the 1940s, and it took decades for scientists to understand how it worked. Phenytoin targets almost all types of sodium channels, preventing neurons from sending signals too quickly and triggering a seizure.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Dilantin is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, like Seizure Disorder, Post Traumatic, Seizures and Status; Epilepticus, Tonic-clonic. The dosage fluctuates as per the technique of delivery (e.g. Tablet - Oral or Parenteral) found in the table underneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Petit Mal Epilepsy
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Seizure Disorder, Post Traumatic
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Seizures
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Status Epilepticus
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Neurosurgery
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
convulsive disorders
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
inadequate control with monotherapy
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Jacksonian epilepsy
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Complex Partial Seizures
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Epilepsy
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Status; Epilepticus, Tonic-clonic
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE)
, 30.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 300.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL, 125.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 250.0 mg/mL, 30.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Tablet, chewable, Tablet, chewable - Oral, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Suspension - Oral, Suspension, Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Parenteral, Injection - Parenteral

Warnings

Dilantin Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Adams-Stokes Syndrome
Do Not Combine
third degree AV block
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Sinus Bradycardia
Do Not Combine
phenytoin
Do Not Combine
Sinoatrial Block
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Phenytoin may interact with Pulse Frequency
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Phenytoin may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Dilantin.
Common Dilantin Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
1,2-Benzodiazepine
Major
The metabolism of 1,2-Benzodiazepine can be increased when combined with Phenytoin.
3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid
Major
The metabolism of 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid can be increased when combined with Phenytoin.
5-androstenedione
Major
The metabolism of 5-androstenedione can be increased when combined with Phenytoin.
6-O-benzylguanine
Major
The metabolism of 6-O-benzylguanine can be increased when combined with Phenytoin.
7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin
Major
The metabolism of 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin can be increased when combined with Phenytoin.
Dilantin Toxicity & Overdose RiskPhenytoin toxicity can occur if too much of the drug is taken, due to drug interactions, kidney disease, pregnancy, malnutrition, or cancer. It can affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Symptoms may include nystagmus, slurred speech, tremor, nausea, vomiting, ataxia, lethargy, confusion, hyperactivity, coma, and seizures. For treatment, activated charcoal may be used to prevent absorption and supportive care is typically recommended. Hemodialysis is not usually necessary as supportive care is generally effective.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Dilantin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Dilantin?

57 active studies are currently being conducted to assess the potential of Dilantin to ameliorate Complex Partial Seizures, Petit Mal Epilepsy and Convulsive Disorders.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Epilepsy
54 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Seizures
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Status; Epilepticus, Tonic-clonic
0 Actively Recruiting
Status Epilepticus
0 Actively Recruiting
Neurosurgery
1 Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1
Complex Partial Seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Petit Mal Epilepsy
0 Actively Recruiting
inadequate control with monotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Seizure Disorder, Post Traumatic
0 Actively Recruiting
convulsive disorders
0 Actively Recruiting
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE)
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1
Jacksonian epilepsy
0 Actively Recruiting

Dilantin Reviews: What are patients saying about Dilantin?

5Patient Review
3/29/2013
Dilantin for Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy
This medication has caused my sugar to stay high , and it has caused my bones to hurt all over my body, the only reason I have to take it is because I have diabetic seizures .
5Patient Review
3/1/2015
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
I've been using this medication for 30 years, since I was 13. It's kept me seizure-free all this time, and I'm grateful. The side effects are manageable; drowsiness and difficulty concentrating are the main ones.
5Patient Review
4/24/2016
Dilantin for Convulsive Seizures
I had my first seizure not long after my second child was born 22 years ago and I've been Dilantin ever since.
5Patient Review
9/2/2013
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
One of the side effects I experienced was dry mouth, which led to me feeling excessively thirsty all the time. Another issue I had was insomnia, which made it difficult to get a good night's sleep.
5Patient Review
1/30/2015
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
I began having seizures in 1996 at age 34. After six months of taking Dilantin, I attempted to stop under my doctor's supervision; however, the seizures started again immediately. I've been on the same dose (460mg daily) since then with no issues.
5Patient Review
1/26/2014
Dilantin for Convulsive Seizures
There are some potential side effects associated with this treatment, but they are generally mild and manageable. Overall, I found it to be very effective and would recommend it to others.
4.7Patient Review
2/6/2015
Dilantin for Simple Partial Seizures
This drug has been a miracle for me. I was experiencing cognitive problems, severe muscle cramping and nerve pain when I was diagnosed with seizures. After taking my first dose of this medication, I felt an immediate difference. It was like my brain suddenly switched back on and I could think clearly again. However, dosage is definitely something to be aware of with this drug as too much can cause hallucinations and too little can lead to seizures. I take 200-260mg per day and only use the name brand, no generics.
4.7Patient Review
10/20/2014
Dilantin for Convulsive Seizures
I found that this drug helped me to lose my appetite, which was great for me.
4Patient Review
5/24/2016
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
I've been taking Dilantin for 66 years now, and it's certainly helped me. I urge you to see a specialist every six months or so to get your blood levels checked.
4Patient Review
5/8/2014
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
I've been taking this medication for a long time, and it's really helped me. I started with the drug n3 and saw no negative side effects.
3.7Patient Review
6/3/2013
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
At first, this medication made me feel numb. I would often catch myself staring into space. I was prescribed this for neuropathic leg pain, but as I've read more about the drug, it seems that it decreases the levels of Lamictal in my system; making it harder to wean off of Lamictal. The doctors prescribing this seemed unaware of this potential complication.
3.3Patient Review
9/21/2013
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
I am currently taking this drug alongside Keppra, but I have not had a good experience with it. Dilantin has been awful for me, and I am hoping my neurologist will allow me to discontinue use of it when I see her later this week.
2.7Patient Review
12/16/2013
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
While this medication has been effective in preventing seizures, the side effects are somewhat bothersome. I become very tired, suffer dry mouth and lips, and suffer from some confusion. All in all the effectiveness seems to outweigh the side effects at this point.
1Patient Review
4/5/2017
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
I was incredibly depressed while taking this medication, and it also caused me to lose my facial hair. Once I switched medications, my depression lifted within weeks and my hair grew back.
1Patient Review
8/16/2012
Dilantin for Epileptic Seizure
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about dilantin

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What type of drug is Dilantin?

"Phenytoin is used to prevent and control seizures by reducing the spread of seizure activity in the brain."

Answered by AI

What is Dilantin used for?

"DILANTIN is a prescription medicine used to treat certain types of seizures, such as tonic-clonic (grand mal) and psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizures, as well as to prevent and treat seizures that occur during or after brain surgery."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of taking Dilantin?

"DILANTIN may cause irregular movement of the eye, problems with walking and coordination, slurred speech, trouble sleeping, confusion, dizziness, nervousness, tremor, headache, and nausea. All brands are trademarks of their owners."

Answered by AI

Is Dilantin a narcotic?

"Though Dilantin is not a commonly abused drug and doesn't produce significant euphoria, it is a controlled substance that requires a prescription."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Dilantin

Have you considered Dilantin clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Dilantin, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Dilantin clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Dilantin, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Dilantin clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Dilantin, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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