How does it work?

Phenytoin is an anti-epileptic medicine that can be used to regulate the activity of nerves. The brain and nerves are made up of many nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. These signals must be carefully regulated for the brain and nerves to function properly. When abnormally rapid and repetitive electrical signals are released in the brain, it becomes over-stimulated and normal function is disturbed. This results in fits or seizures. Chemicals must pass through openings on nerve cells for electrical signals to be generated. Phenytoin works by blocking some of these openings. By blocking these openings, phenytoin prevents excessively rapid and repetitive firing of electrical signals. Thereby electrical nerve activity in the brain is stabilised, leading to prevention of fits and maintenance of normal brain function. As phenytoin stabilises electrical nerve activity, it may also be used to prevent nerve signals being sent inappropriately. This occurs in conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, where facial nerves spontaneously send messages of pain to the brain. Phenytoin is only used to treat trigeminal neuralgia when a person has not responded to or is unable to take other medicines such as carbamazepine.

What is it used for?

Generalised tonic-clonic seizures

Partial seizures

Seizures associated with brain surgery or head injury

Severe pain in the lips, gums, cheek, chin or eye caused by a disorder of the nerves in the face (trigeminal neuralgia)

Warning!

If you develop a skin rash while using this medicine, stop using it and consult your doctor.

People taking this medicine should have regular blood tests.

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

The capsule form of this medicine should be swallowed with plenty of water.

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)

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

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 be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended when taking this medicine. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice.

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.

Rash

Drowsiness

Confusion

Blood disorders

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

Dizziness

Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)

Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus)

Decreased co-ordination

Slurred speech

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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