Features of Phenytoin toxicity
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My friend takes Dilantin for a seizure he had in March of 2010. I have seen him on the medication, off the medication and now back on the medication. When he was off the medication I noticed that he changed; he did not forget things, he could concentrate and articulate things as normal people do. Now that he is back on the medicaton, he CAN NOT function properly. His balance is off, he has no organizational skills (simple one's...leaves things everywhere), he is having hair loss and is just a mess. Is there other drugs he can take? He has to take this for the time being, he is in process of getting his licence back. We need some help here!!
Dilantan (phenytoin) is a potent anti-convulsant medication, however levels in the body may accumulate and drug levels may rise from therapeutic levels to toxic levels rapidly. Features of phenytoin toxicity may include loss of balance, difficulties with coordination, drowsiness, eye movement disorders and slurring of the speech. I would advise that your friend attends his family physician or neurologist urgently for a dilantan (phenytoin) blood level, and possible prescription of an alternate anti-convulsant medication, for example sodium valproate or carbemazepine.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 27 August 2010 )
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