DILANTIN Reviews (PHENYTOIN SODIUM)Average Rating: 3.5 (185 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare DILANTIN with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on DILANTIN: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DILANTIN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | epilepsy | none | M | 52 | 25 years 1X day | 11/10/2010 | 5 | Epilipse | I was diagnosed with epilipse in 1965 at the age of 18. The only side effect at that time was swollen gums in the mouth. Quite common as I understand. This subsided soon. | I have taken Dilantin since 1965. I have been taking this once a day 3 100mg tablets before bed. I have had no side effects and my life was as normal as if I never had epilipse until June 2006 when I had a seizure. My doctor increased the dosage to 4 100mg tables , 2 taken at 11 am and 2 at 11 pm. I thought that was it for another 40 years until Thanksgiving 2009 when I had 2 seizures within 8 hours. My doctor added 2 500mg Keppra to the Dilantin. Then in Sept. 2010 , I had a mini mal seizure where I was out for maybe a minute. What is happenning to me. Is it just because I'm getting older or because I have been taking the medication for so long ? Also , my feet have become dumb over the last few years, like pins and nettles. | M | 63 | 45 years 2 100mg 2X day | 10/27/2010 | 4 | Grand mal seizures | Delayed reaction times in thought. Some slurred speech -- maybe happens 2-3 times a month that I notice speech is slurred or that I can't think of the right word. | DILANTIN has worked pretty well in keeping grand mal seizures relatively well controlled (about 8-9 seizures in 10 years), with all of those seizures coming when the therapeutic level was low. In fact, the dosage may have been increased during times when compliance was the issue rather than a breakthrough seizure, but it was hard to tell. Although the slurred speech is definitely a post-DILANTIN symptom it is really hard to tell with some of the memory/ delayed reaction issues. I definitely had some of those symptoms before diagnosis and also had insomnia issues as well. Was also diagnosed with sleep apnea, and with the wide range of problems that sleep apnea can cause it is hard to really pin down any of those symptoms on DILANTIN or epilepsy. The sleep apnea existed before the epilepsy and it's possible they're even related. I will go through periods of drunk-like and there are times I can be at work and close my eyes for a second and suddenly be in REM sleep, but it is still hard to tell anything if you're not getting sleep. I have had not had gum growth or recession. Overall, it's worked pretty well and unless I addressed the other issues of insomnia/ sleep apnea it's pretty hard to justify switching when I haven't had a seizure in 2 years. | M | 44 | 10 years 460 mg 1X day | 7/19/2010 | 5 | Grand Mal | Moody and shaky as in motor skills. And a couple of much tolerable side effects. Was safe on this dosage for all this time.25 years. | AFTER 25 years, All of a sudden had seizures and could not be left alone, had seizures to point of comeing out of them and not at all "knowing" I had lost conscienceness until later that day. Of course stopped driving all together. Was treated after MRIs and EEGs with Keppra and I did not respond to this at all. Unable to even be trusted to walk outdoors and cried as the episodes/ much pain continued. Was then given dilantin again but increased the dosage to 200mg twice a day. It has now been almost one year and a half, and can now hold my grandchild. I do have poor bone density but am treated for this. Praise the Lord. | F | 55 | 25 years 100 mg 3X day | 6/10/2010 | 4 | Seizure Disorder | Poor concentration,retention and memory, word retrieval, slow learning capability | I've taken Dilantin for 10 years. Had been seizure free until 12-23-10. Dosage was increased to 260 mg daily. The increase caused shakiness "dry mouth" and constipation. Dosage lowered to 230 mg, shakiness subsided, eventually "dry mouth" also. Originally, took Tegretol for 2 years. Too many digestive problems switched to Dilantin. Really drug resistant person but it's beats having a seizure, then not being able to drive for six months. | F | 65 | 10 years 200 mg 1X day | 5/31/2010 | 4 | Seizure disorder | Clouded thoughts, trouble recalling names / recent conversations, short term memory issues, extreme drowsiness, vivid dreams, occasional disorientation, clumsiness, concentration issues | When younger I did a poor job of taking my Dilantin regularly and experienced several seizures after missing days, but the past several years I've taken religiously and haven't had any issues. Dilantin has allowed me to live a normal life and drive, work, etc without constant fear of seizures, but not without some costs. I have definitely noticed that I'm not as mentally sharp as I was before I started taking it. I wasn't the most agile person before, but I've also noticed I'm significantly clumsier. I also will fall asleep almost immediately at night even when I'm trying to stay awake, sleep deeply through the night, and wake up very groggy in the morning. | M | 28 | 7 years 500 mg 1X day | 4/14/2010 | 5 | grand mal seizures | M | 41 | 500 1X day | 4/11/2010 Patient History | 5 | epileptic seizures | My gums have receded. I have experienced no recent, significant side effects besides. | Dilantin has kept my seizures well under control. I have been seizure free since 1996. Compared to the benefits, I find that, compared to the benefits, the side effects are minimal. | M | 62 | 53 years 100 mg 4X day | 3/2/2010 | 4 | Seizures | Early on when determining the dose, I had issues related to dizziness and word retrieval. Even to this day, I had a friendly disagreement with my doctor who wants 400 mg per day to my 300 mg per day. On 400mg, I feel the above side effects which affect my livelihood and social interaction. On the dose I take, only once in a blue moon do I feel a slightly off balanced. I do know to take extra care of my gums and will take a bone density test when I turn 40. I love daily products so I don't anticipate this being a problem. | My only additional comment relates to the one time in 18 years where I ran out of the medication. And in this instance, I took a little extra dose when I received the meds and this was not a good idea and the underneath of my arms swelled with bumps and lumps. | M | 39 | 18 years 300 1X day | 2/27/2010 | 5 | Speech, cognitive and balance issues, but see below. | After two severe grand mals and a host of petites, focus seizures, involuntary muscle spasms I was given Dilantin. Efficacious dose [no seizures] turned out to be 400 mgs/daily. But still a mess. Speech, cognitive, balance,,, you name it. Went on Disability. Didn't drive for 5 years. Then saw an infomercial for a sub-lingual Vitamin B pill. It was pitched by a doctor we once knew in another town. Liked him. Trusted him. No mention of post-seizure, or Dilantin, but he claimed the stuff would help with the symptoms i was experiencing. What the hell. We ordered some with limited expectation. About 6 weeks later we realized my condition had changed very noticeably. A couple months later I went through an exhaustive [3 hour] eval and road test to determine if I actually was ready to drive again. Bingo! Not 100%, but I'm 73 and few in my group are. In the last year I've done all the driving on trips of 2500 miles, and several of almost 800 miles. No sweat. Every case is different but it's worth a try for anyone who's in comparable straights. Just be patient though. It takes a few weeks. It may not be easy to find, but anyone on Dilantin, considering another anti-seizure drug, or worried about long-term use must read the Jack Dreyfuss [the mutual fund pioneer] book: "A Remarkable Medicine Has Been Overlooked". I can vouch for the anti-depressant qualities. Jim | M | 73 | 10 days | 1/23/2010 | 5 | Life-extension purposes. | No adverse side-effects whatsoever. | I have taken this drug at 100 mgs daily for long spells but today take it occasionally especially if I am about to face some apprehensive social situation. It helps at maintaining one's composure. It also inceases one's stamina enabling one to do manual tasks without exhaustion. On intially taking it (the first 3 doses) I experineced a psychological high but thereafter no noticeable effect. My wife too takes it when feeing apprehensive or depressed but requires 200 mgs for her to notice its benefit. We self-medicate. | M | 79 | 16 years | 12/30/2009 | 4 | seizure disorder | Hand tremors started after 10 years of use (worse with caffeine and low blood sugar); more hair on my arms than your typical woman; get very sleepy after 1-2 beers or glasses of wine on an empty stomach; forgetful with names, but this is part of aging for all of us! | To encourage those who worry about long term use... Dilantin may be an oldie, but for me it has been a goodie at 300 mg/day alternating with 400 mg/day. I have climbed mountains, run a half-marathon, and not been cognitively affected at all. I am now working on my PhD in the top program in my field. Gums fine, bone density fine (with vitamin supplements and weight bearing exercise). I don't know what the future holds, but Dilantin has been a blessing and a constant for me over the last 26 years. | F | 33 | 26 years | 11/23/2009 | 5 | car accident head injury first time | short term memory problem starts,super dose 600mg daily.burns like a bugger if it gets cot in your throat.bone and cartilage problems arise.muscle atrophy and constainly weak and tired | this drug works to control seisures but not enough is said about the side effects.Personally i've uncovered my need to supplement vitamen D,calcium and just about any healthy food group because osteoarthriyis was discovered at the age of 45. At the age of 39 i was misdiagnosed with sciatia.Get more than one oppinion from a doctor as uncertain etiology after suffering for five years and one leg being an inch and a half shorter then the other.Yeah that coffe wake up trick is also shared.Two pots a day ,remain at 2- 300mg dosage Your damned if you do'nt take dilantin but the family doctor did warn me about a rash and proper dental care. | M | 48 | 24 years | 11/10/2009 | 4 | car accident head injury | swollen gums,joint pain,lack of energy depression is rampent as life changed.acceptence is hard BUT i am happy to be alive | pills work ,side sffects suck.I need a hip reconstructionfrom the cartlidge slowly breaking down.Short term memory loss as well except I blamed it on landing on my head,2 week coma,amnesia and being pronownced brain dead for 6 min.Thanks for giving me some insight about this drug | M | 48 | 24 days | 10/9/2009 | 5 | A.V. Malformation | Tired as a result from taking Dilantin. Memory retention seems to be effected by the medicine. Numbness in hands and especially bottom of the feet. Concentrative ability noticeably effected at times. | Tiredness countered by drinking coffee.(It works) (My case only): In an emergency situation, I have inhaled 1/2# 100mg capsule of Dilantin in order to stop a seizure. I have tried Dilantin under the tongue. It burns. Cold water used in conjunction with taking Dilantin has stopped an oncoming seizure before happening. A Cold towel around the neck-(loosely), and cold towel under the arm pits. Having a fan helps too. (oxygen) (Note): Age & condition are to be taken into account. Dilantin has saved my butt for 26 yrs. Even with all the drawbacks that accompany its use, How can I complain to much being still alive. | M | 52 | 26 years | 8/31/2009 | 4 | Asperger Syndrome - 9 yrs old | Dilantin Infatabs were very easy for my 9 year old to take. | REmained on this medication for 9 years. Good mood stabilizer for children. Made him more outgoing. | M | 17 | 9 years | 8/29/2009 | 3 | epilepsy multiple seizure types | on normal drug level :I am tired and my thinking isn't efficient Memory slow it does impair my thinking process alot . Really bad gum over growth Extra growth of hair over legs and face which is not what a girl wants.And my eyes bother me don't focus as fast On toxic blood levels:Can't do nothing can't see nystagmus dizzy sleepy my head is floppy and I am completely goofy | it works well in emergencies and neurologist are comfortable with it I don't like it I wish I don't have to | F | 19 years | 8/20/2009 | 3 | seizures | tends to make me feel tired... Don't know if it is because of the benign brain tumor, but I have trouble finding the right word. Then after feeling tired all day, I have insomnia at night. Go figure. | F | 50 | 2 years | 7/24/2009 | 4 | choreoathetosis | I've been taking dilantin for 25 years (started at 13) so it's difficult to distiginguish general shortcomings from negative effects from the medicine. Lack of concentration and coordination problems are two things I would like to attribute to dilantin. Maybe a slower thought process. | I take half of what was prescribed to me (200 mg opposed to 400 mg) to reduce side effects and it's been an effective dossage. For the most part it's been a miracle drug but have alway been concerned about potential ill effects. Somebody recently told me they stopped taking the drug because of a whole litany of damaging effects including liver damage to memory loss to deadening of the nerves. I would like to experiment with a different medication. | M | 38 | 25 years | 5/30/2009 | 5 | unexplained tonic-clonic seizures | swollen gums | Dilantin has been great but I am now worried about possible long-term effects. My Dr. wants me to switch to Lamictal. I am worried because I have been seizure-free for so long and haven't had problems other than my gums. But I am concerned about cerebellar atrophy. Has anyone else switched medications and been successful? | F | 37 | 22 years | 4/14/2009 |