Common "Phenytoin" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Phenytoin

Phenytoin belongs to a group of drugs called anticonvulsants. They are used to control certain types of seizures. It works by reducing seizures in the body. It can cause some side effects such as bleeding of gums, headache, and nausea.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I am taking epilepsy medicine. Is this causing my symptoms?

Query: Hello doctor, I feel I can see everything around me at the same time, although I am focusing on some other thing. When someone sitting next to me or across me makes any movement like scratching their nose, shoulder, knee or even twitch an arm, then I quickly look in that direction and back. I feel p...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, the symptoms that you are explaining could result from drugs like Epanutin (Phenytoin). I suppose you should mention this to your doctor and let them evaluate if you could be shifted to other antiepileptic drugs like Valproic acid.   Read Full »

Can taking Eptoin while breastfeeding affect the baby?

Query: Hello doctor, My wife is taking Eptoin 100 thrice in a day. Just 13 days back she delivered a baby girl. Should I be worried about this when she is feeding the baby?  Read Full »


Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Eptoin during whole pregnancy can cause fetal hydantoin syndrome and also can cause neural tube defects. Phenytoin is secreted in breast milk but the most chance of baby getting affected are in the first three months of pregnancy. But in your case, she already delivere...  Read Full »

Will taking Phenytoin impact the first stage of pregnancy?

Query: Hello doctor, I am taking Phenytoin sodium 300 mg daily for the last 10 years. Will the medication impact on my first stage of pregnancy? If yes, should I take any alternative?  Read Full »


Dr. Hitesh Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Are you pregnant already? Or planning for pregnancy? Phenytoin, especially in the first trimester (initial three months) of pregnancy, can affect the baby. It can increase the risk of congenital anomalies like fetal hydantoin syndrome or neural tube defects. If you ar...  Read Full »

Can Eptoin cause reduced WBC count if taken during fever?

Query: Hello doctor, My niece got a fever for the past eight days. Also, low white blood cells (WBC) count. The doctors tried all the tests, antibiotics and medicines, but still, the fever is not controlled. She got fits 15 days back and the doctors prescribed Eptoin tablets. My question is whether Eptoin ...  Read Full »


Dr. Aida Abaz Quka

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and would explain that Eptoin (Phenytoin) is a drug used to treat or prevent seizures. It does not usually affect WBC, but very rarely (like all the drugs) it can cause suppression of the blood cell formation in the bone marrow. The low WBC c...  Read Full »

Will taking Dilantin mistakenly cause any serious problem?

Query: Hello doctor, I want to know that if someone (who is not suffering from any epilepsy or seizure disorder) has mistakenly taken Dilantin 300 mg daily (sometimes 100 mg) for 15 to 30 days, what will happen? Is he going to suffer from seizure disorder or other health issues? What has to be done to stop...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hi. Welcome to icliniq.com. Usually, no side effects would happen in such case. It is not that the person would develop seizure disorder on stopping the medicines. However, medicine should not be abruptly withdrawn. It should be slowly tapered and stopped under the guidance of your physician. In ca...  Read Full »

Please suggest a medicine for muscle stiffness, apart from Baclofen.

Query: Hi doctor, My dad is without ventilator support since 40 days and his tracheostomy has also removed five days back. Without any life support system, he is currently breathing by himself for last 7-8 days with saturation level 100% on air. Past four days he is able to keep his eyes open for few minut...  Read Full »


Dr. Ambekar Sudheer

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the detailed information. I am happy to see your father improve gradually. Here is what I suggest. There is no other medicine for stiffness. However, physiotherapy should be carried out aggressively to prevent worsening of stiffness. One should rule out infe...  Read Full »

What can be the cause of high Phenytoin level?

Query: Hi doctor, I am on Phenytoin (Dilantin) 300 mg or 350 mg every alternate days for 4 years and 250 mg and 500 mg Levetiracetam in the morning and evening respectively. I was diagnosed with generalized seizure before 8 years. Then, I had one seizure before 4 years. I am seizure free for up to 4 year...  Read Full »


Dr. Hardik Nareshbhai Rajyaguru

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your question. Phenytoin level of 140 is really high. In our practice, in such a scenario, we do correlate the laboratory test result with the clinical picture.When the level is really 140, the patient cannot stand steady. He will have a severe imbalance whi...  Read Full »

Is one tablet of Septra daily, enough for my dad who has AIDS?

Query: Hello doctor, My father is 58 years old and weighs 49 kg and 5.8 feet tall. He is on ART medicine since the last 13 years. He has AIDS. He had seizures last year, so he is also taking Ecosprin 75 mg, Septran, and Eptoin daily. I have two questions. Many doctors are surprised that he is only having...  Read Full »


Dr. Ashaq Hussain Parrey

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Septran (Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim) is an antibiotic used in AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) patient to prevent PCP (pneumocystis pneumonia) infection. It is prevention dose, that is, prophylaxis (treatment dose, which is two tablets three times a da...  Read Full »

Can Eptoin taken before eight years cause fertility problems now?

Query: Hi doctor, I have taken Eptoin medicine 8 years before. Now, I am fine and not taking any medicines. I got married before three months. Now, I am planning to have a baby. Will I face any fertility problem due to Eptoin? Can I get pregnant?  Read Full »


Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bhattacharyya

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. As such Eptoin (Phenytoin) does not have any effect over the fertility profile of women and they conceive even while on Eptoin. You have stopped taking Eptoin eight years back and thus, there is no issue to worry.   Read Full »

My father has cystic granulomatous and Eptoin increases GGTP and ALP. Please advice.

Query: Hello doctor, My father is 53-years-old, and he is taking medicine for cystic granulomatous for six years. Eptoin medicine does increase GGTP (140 now) ALP is 134. Kindly advice.  Read Full »


Dr. Hariharan V

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Eptoin (Phenytoin) causes many things like the slow performance of duties, confusion, and decreasing the intellect of a person. But it is a perfect drug to prevent fits. You are correct. The cause of increased GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) and ALP (alkaline phosph...  Read Full »

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