💊 Phenytoin Tablet 100 mg
📌 1. Prescription / Indications:
Phenytoin 100 mg tablets are primarily prescribed for:
- Tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures
- Complex partial (focal) seizures
- Seizure prevention after neurosurgery or head injury
- Sometimes used for digitalis-induced arrhythmias (rare use)
📄 2. Description:
- Form: Oral tablet or capsule
- Strength: 100 mg Phenytoin sodium
- Appearance: White or off-white, round or oval, varies by manufacturer
- Route: Oral
- Dosage: Adjusted based on age, weight, and blood levels; therapeutic range: 10–20 mcg/mL
🔬 3. Nature / Drug Class:
- Class: Hydantoin derivative
- Category: Antiepileptic / Anticonvulsant
- Action: Blocks voltage-dependent sodium channels, stabilizing neuronal membranes and reducing seizure activity.
🌟 4. Advantages:
- Effective for long-term seizure control
- Non-sedating compared to older anticonvulsants
- Wide clinical use, especially in generalized and focal seizures
- Available in varied dosage forms
📦 5. Common Packaging:
| Packaging Type | Description |
|---|
| Blister pack | 10 or 15 tablets per strip |
| Bottle | 100 or 500 tablets |
| Hospital unit dose | Used in inpatient or emergency settings |
🧊 6. Storage Conditions:
- Store below 25°C (77°F)
- Keep dry and away from light
- Tightly close the container
- Avoid freezing or prolonged exposure to heat
👩⚕️ 7. Patient Advice:
- Take the medicine at the same time daily
- Do not stop abruptly — may trigger seizures
- Maintain regular blood tests to monitor drug levels
- Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent gum overgrowth
- Watch for signs of toxicity:
- Nystagmus (eye tremors)
- Unsteady walking
- Dizziness or confusion
- Avoid alcohol, as it can affect phenytoin levels
- Inform doctor if planning pregnancy or if pregnant
🎯 8. Purpose / Use Cases:
| Use | Details |
|---|
| Seizure disorders | Tonic-clonic, partial, and prevention |
| Post-head trauma | Prevent early seizures |
| Status epilepticus (IV form) | Maintenance after IV loading |
| Arrhythmias (rare) | Alternative to lidocaine/digitalis toxicity |
⚠️ 9. Precautions / Warnings:
- Narrow therapeutic index
- Potential side effects:
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Osteomalacia
- Hirsutism
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Liver dysfunction
- Pregnancy Category D — risk of fetal hydantoin syndrome
- Drug interactions with:
- Oral contraceptives
- Warfarin
- Other antiepileptics
