Phenytoin Injection

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Phenytoin injection is used to treat primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as a grand mal seizure; seizure that involves the entire body) and to treat and prevent seizures that may begin during or after surgery to the brain or nervous system. Phenytoin injection may also be used to control certain types of seizures in people who cannot take oral phenytoin. Phenytoin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Phenytoin injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be slowly injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility. It is usually injected once every 6 or 8 hours.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

Phenytoin injection is also used to control irregular heartbeat. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before receiving phenytoin injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to phenytoin, other hydantoin medications such as ethotoin (Peganone) or fosphenytoin (Cerebyx), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in phenytoin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you are taking delavirdine (Rescriptor). Your doctor will probably not want you to receive phenytoin injection if you are taking this medication.
• some medications should not be taken with phenytoin injection. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with phenytoin injection. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before receiving phenytoin injection with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while receiving phenytoin injection, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with phenytoin injection: St. John's wort; H2 antagonists such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac); omeprazole (Prilosec); vitamin D; folic acid; salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start receiving phenytoin injection. Do not start any of these medications while receiving phenytoin injection without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have ever developed a liver problem while taking phenytoin. Your doctor will probably not want you to receive phenytoin injection.
• tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you have had laboratory testing that reported you have an inherited risk factor that makes it more likely that you could have an serious skin reaction to phenytoin. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, porphyria (condition in which certain natural substances build up in the body and may cause stomach pain, changes in thinking or behavior, or other symptoms), low levels of albumin in your blood, or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving phenytoin. Talk to your doctor about effective birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while receiving phenytoin, call your doctor. Phenytoin may harm the fetus.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving phenytoin.
• you should know that this medication may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and problems with coordination. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking this medication.
• talk to your doctor about the best way to care for your teeth, gums, and mouth during your treatment with phenytoin. It is very important that you care for your mouth properly to decrease the risk of gum damage caused by phenytoin.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Phenytoin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• uncontrollable eye movements
• abnormal body movements
• loss of coordination
• confusion
• slurred speech
• headache
• changes in your sense of taste
• constipation
• unwanted hair growth
• coarsening of facial features
• enlargement of lips
• overgrowth of gums
• pain or curving of the penis

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• swelling, discoloration, or pain at the injection site
• rash
• hives
• itching
• swelling of the eyes, face, throat, tongue, arms, hands, ankles, or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• swollen glands
• nausea
• vomiting
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• pain in upper right part of the stomach
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• small red or purple spots on skin
• loss of appetite
• flu-like symptoms
• fever, sore throat, rash, mouth ulcers, or easy bruising, or facial swelling

Phenytoin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Taking phenytoin may increase the risk that you will develop problems with your lymph nodes including Hodgkin's disease (cancer that begins in the lymph system). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication to treat your condition.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• uncontrollable eye movements
• loss of coordination
• slow or slurred speech
• fatigue
• blurred vision
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• nausea
• vomiting

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to phenytoin injection.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving phenytoin injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: December 15, 2019.