How does it work?

Fosphenytoin is a pro-drug of phenytoin. This means that it is broken down in the body to phenytoin. Fosphenytoin is an anti-convulsant medicine and its effects are due to the action of phenytoin. Phenytoin 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?

Repeated fitting with no recovery of conciousness between seizures

Seizures associated with brain surgery or head injury

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.

Use with caution in

Alcohol intake

Condition where the heart is unable to carry out its normal function (cardiac insufficiency)

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Diabetes

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Regular blood tests are required to monitor the amount of the medication in the blood

Not to be used in

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

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

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

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 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.

There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. 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.

Constipation

Dry mouth

Drowsiness

Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)

Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)

Involuntary muscle movements such as tremors or twitching

Visual disturbances

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Disturbance in the components of the blood

Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)

A state of well-being, optimism and cheerfulness (euphoria)

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Sensation of ringing, or other noise in the ears (tinnitus)

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

Alteration in taste

Damage to the kidneys

Widening of blood vessels (vasodilatation)

Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)

Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus)

Pain at the injection site

Nervousness

Heart problems such as irregular heart beats and fluid retention

Slurred speech

Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)

Incoordination

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Confusion

Dizziness

Nausea and vomiting

Rash

Swollen gums

Increased body hair

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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