Phenytoin

Stopping Phenytoin abruptly may cause withdrawal effects or worsening of your condition. Your doctor usually needs to gradually reduce your dosage before discontinuing the medication for your therapy.

You will usually be started with a lower dose and increased gradually to reduce or avoid side effects caused by this medication.

No, do not stop taking Phenytoin even if you feel better. You are advised to keep taking Phenytoin for as long as your doctor has advised you to. Stopping it suddenly may worsen your condition or symptoms may come back.

You might only see improvement in your symptoms after a few weeks of Phenytoin therapy, it might take up to a few months of use for some people. This is because response to a particular medication varies in every patient. It is important not to stop taking this medicine if you do not notice an improvement in your symptoms yet.

Phenytoin is an antiepileptic and works by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain. <Salt> can only control or reduce the frequency of attack, however it do not cure the underlying disease itself. It is important for you to take your medication as being instructed by your doctor to prevent your symptom from accuring again.

If you miss a dose of Phenytoin, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it close to the next scheduled time then skip the dose and take the next one as scheduled. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.

You might noticed signs of severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue and or throat. You may also have difficulties in breathing or swallowing. Some might be accompanied with itchy skin rash. Please immediately go to the nearest hospital in case any of these symptoms appear.

If alcohol is taken in combination with Phenytoin medication, extra sedative effects can occur. Also, alcohol increases the likelihood of attack, thus it is advisable to reduce or stop taking alcohol if you are on Phenytoin treatment.

You must immediately consult with your doctor if find out that you are pregnant while on Phenytoin treatment. This is because some Phenytoin medication can affect your pregnancy. Your doctor may switch your medication to alternative medication that is safe to be use in pregnancy.

Vomiting and diarrhea can affect the amount of medication that is absorbed from the gut into the blood stream. This can result in low circulating levels of Phenytoin medication in body. If vomiting occurs within minutes of taking the medication, another dose can be administered. However, it is advisable to seek medical advice if vomiting and diarrhoea persist or too severe.