Anticonvulsants, Hydantoin (Systemic)
Category- Antiarrhythmic - Phenytoin
- Anticonvulsant - Ethotoin; Fosphenytoin; Mephenytoin; Phenytoin
- Antineuralgic, trigeminal
neuralgia - Phenytoin
- Skeletal muscle relaxant - Phenytoin
DescriptionHydantoin anticonvulsants (hye-DAN-toyn an-tye-kon-VUL-sants) are used most often to control certain convulsions or
seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. Phenytoin also may be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
In seizure disorders, these medicines act on the central nervous system
(CNS) to reduce the number and severity of seizures. Hydantoin anticonvulsants
may also produce some unwanted effects. These depend on the patient's individual
condition, the amount of medicine taken, and how long it has been taken. It
is important that you know what the side effects are and when to call your
doctor if they occur.
Hydantoin anticonvulsants are available only with your doctor's prescription,
in the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Ethotoin
-
Mephenytoin
-
Phenytoin
-
Extended capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Prompt capsules (U.S.)
-
Oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
-
Chewable tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
-
Fosphenytoin
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Phenytoin
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Note:
|
Because fosphenytoin is converted to phenytoin in your body, it has
the same effects as those listed for phenytoin in the following sections. |
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
- Cerebyx 2
- Dilantin 4
- Dilantin-125 4
- Dilantin Infatabs 4
- Dilantin Kapseals 4
- Mesantoin 3
- Peganone 1
- Phenytek 4
In Canada -
- Cerebyx 2
- Dilantin 4
- Dilantin-30 4
- Dilantin-125 4
- Dilantin Infatabs 4
Another commonly used name for phenytoin is diphenylhydantoin
.
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following hydantoin anticonvulsants are
numbered to match the corresponding brand names. |
This information applies to the following medicines: |
1. |
Ethotoin (ETH-oh-toyn)† |
2. |
Fosphenytoin (fos-FEN-i-toyn) |
3. |
Mephenytoin (me-FEN-i-toyn)† |
4. |
Phenytoin (FEN-i-toyn)‡ |
† Not commercially available in Canada |
‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S. |
|