User:Mr. Ibrahem/Phenytoin
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Phenytoin (PHT), sold under the brand name Dilantin among others,[1] is an anti-seizure medication.[2] It is useful for the prevention of tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures, but not absence seizures.[2] The intravenous form, fosphenytoin, is used for status epilepticus that does not improve with benzodiazepines.[2] It may also be used for certain heart arrhythmias or neuropathic pain.[2] It can be taken intravenously or by mouth.[2] The intravenous form generally begins working within 30 minutes and is effective for 24 hours.[3] Blood levels can be measured to determine the proper dose.[2]
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Pronunciation | /fəˈnɪtoʊɪn, ˈfɛnɪtɔɪn/ |
Trade names | Originally Dilantin, many names worldwide[1] |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682022 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth, intravenous |
Drug class | Anticonvulsant[2] |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 70–100% oral, 24.4% for rectal administration |
Protein binding | 95%[2] |
Metabolism | Liver |
Onset of action | 10 to 30 min (IV)[3] |
Elimination half-life | 10–22 hours[2] |
Duration of action | 24 hr[3] |
Excretion | Primarily through the bile, urinary |
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Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C15H12N2O2 |
Molar mass | 252.273 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects include nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, poor coordination, increased hair growth, and enlargement of the gums.[2] Potentially serious side effects include sleepiness, self harm, liver problems, bone marrow suppression, low blood pressure, and toxic epidermal necrolysis.[2] There is evidence that use during pregnancy results in abnormalities in the baby.[2] It appears to be safe to use when breastfeeding.[2] Alcohol may interfere with the medication's effects.[2]
Phenytoin was first made in 1908 by the German chemist Heinrich Biltz and found useful for seizures in 1936.[4][5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6] Phenytoin is available as a generic medication and usually not too expensive.[7] The wholesale cost in the developing world is between US$0.003 and US$0.15 per dose.[8] A month of treatment is about US$30 in the United States.[2] In 2017, it was the 221st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than two million prescriptions.[9][10]