Epanutin ready-mixed parenteral

How does it work?

Phenytoin is an anti-convulsant medicine which acts by reducing electrical discharges within the brain. There is normally a relatively low level of electrical activity in the brain. The electrical signals from nerve cells are finely coordinated. In epilepsy, these nerve signals become irregular and chaotic and excessive electrical activity builds up in the brain. This results in the brain being stimulated uncontrollably - and the result is an epileptic fit. Phenytoin dampens down the excessive electrical activity and thereby prevents seizures (fits).

What is it used for?

Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)

Repeated fitting with no recovery of conciousness between seizures

Seizures

Warning!

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

This medicine should not be injected into the muscle (intra-muscular injection)

Use with caution in

Babies less than one month old (neonates)

Decreased liver function

Diabetes

Elderly people

Extremely ill people

High blood urea levels (uraemia)

Not to be used in

A syndrome characterized by slow or absent pulse, dizziness, and convulsions usually as a result of heart block (Stokes-Adams Syndrome)

Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)

Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

The use of this medicine during breastfeeding is not recommended. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Rash

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Drowsiness

Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)

Confusion

Involuntary muscle movements such as tremors or twitching

Blood disorders

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)

Difficulty performing voluntary movements, resulting in jerky or involuntary movements or muscle twitches (dyskinesia)

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Dizziness

Increased hair growth (hirsutism)

Problems with coordination

Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)

Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus)

Nervousness

Excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis)

Slurred speech

Enlargement of the gums (gingival hyperplasia)

Local pain and swelling at the site of injection

Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)

Hypersensitivity reactions such as narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm), swelling of the lips, throat and tongue (angioedema) or severe skin reaction (toxic epidermal necrolysis)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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