Table of contents:
- What is the drug phenytoin (phenytoin)?
- How does phenytoin work?
- Are there any side effects from the drug phenytoin?
- Phenytoin side effects are common
- Phenytoin side effects are rare
- Serious phenytoin side effects
When someone experiences recurrent seizures, of course they need medication to help deal with this emergency condition. One type of seizure medication that doctors can give is phenytoin (phenytoin). Actually, what is phenytoin and are there any possible side effects? Check out the following reviews.
What is the drug phenytoin (phenytoin)?
The drug phenytoin or phenytoin is a drug used to control seizures. These are either partial seizures or those that usually don't last too long, or complex seizures that can last longer than partial seizures.
Phenytoin can be taken alone without other drugs, or in combination with other anti-seizure and antiepileptic drugs. With a note, this drug has been previously recommended by doctors.
However, phenytoin is not always taken by mouth to treat all types of seizures. Usually, people who have epilepsy will be prescribed this drug by a doctor. Even so, the doctor will determine in advance whether phenytoin is the right choice for you.
Because like other types of drugs in general, phenytoin can also cause side effects. Moreover, if not used properly.
How does phenytoin work?
Before you find out the possible side effects of phenytoin, you should first understand how it works. Well, as mentioned earlier, phenytoin is a type of prescription drug that can only be obtained on the advice of a doctor.
Phenytoin drugs are usually taken directly (orally). However, this drug can also come in the form of an injection given by a doctor or medical team. Well, the way the phenytoin drug works is by slowing down impulses or stimuli in the brain that cause seizures.
In addition, this drug also helps maintain the work of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain that are overactive during a seizure. In short, the drug phenytoin can help reduce the frequency of seizures.
Are there any side effects from the drug phenytoin?
Similar to various drugs in general, the side effects of phenytoin can also cause drowsiness. Motor ability or movement and thinking function of the brain also becomes a little slower after taking this medicine.
That is why you are not recommended to drive, use machines, or do any job that requires precision and involves the work of the brain.
In addition, there are still various side effects that may result from phenytoin, namely:
Phenytoin side effects are common
- Difficulty walking
- Decreased mental state
- Speak less clearly
- Confusion
- It's hard to sleep well
- Headache
- Feel nervous
- Experiencing tremors, shaking, or problems with muscle control and coordination in the hands or feet
- Difficulty breathing, speaking, and swallowing food or drink
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Rash on skin
If the side effects of this phenytoin drug are mild, they usually disappear within a few days or weeks. However, if the effects are quite severe and don't go away, it's a good idea to consult further with your doctor.
Phenytoin side effects are rare
- Difficulty moving your eyes
- Increased movement of the eyelids
- Walking unstable or easily unstable
- Unusual facial expression
- Repetitive movements of the lips, tongue, face, arms and legs
Serious phenytoin side effects
- Severe rash on the skin that causes itching, redness, blistering, peeling, to sores.
- Experiencing severe depression and anxiety.
- There is a desire to self-harm.
- Change mood or unusual behavior.
- Multi-organ hypersensitivity resulting in fever, swollen lymph nodes, bleeding, severe fatigue, infection, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
- Allergic reactions occur, such as rashes, itching and swelling of several parts of the body.
- Severe confusion.
Apart from the side effects above, you also need to be careful if you have a vitamin D deficiency or thyroid disease. The reason is that taking this drug can reduce vitamin D levels in the body, as a result of which calcium and phosphate also decrease. Lack of these vitamin components can lead to osteoporosis, osteopenia and bone fractures.
In addition, phenytoin can also affect thyroid hormone levels in the body. If you have thyroid disease, you should consult your doctor.
Before taking any type of medicine, there is nothing wrong with asking a doctor or pharmacist, or reading the information printed on the drug label. Not all side effects of phenytoin can occur.
However, do not delay to see your doctor or someone closest to you if you experience one or more unusual signs while you are regularly taking this medicine.
