Dilantin: Know Its Side Effects

I’ve noticed that doctors on TV medical dramas, when faced
with a seizing patient, cry out for the reliable standby drug
Dilantin

Also known as phenytoin, Dilantin has relieved seizures in
patients for the past sixty years and counting

But, like most prescription medications, Dilantin has its share
of nasty side effects

If you have recently been prescribed this drug then you need to
read on to know what you’re in for

I’m not knocking Dilantin I’ve been using it for nearly twenty
years to control my seizures But, like the Boy Scouts say, be
prepared

Common side effects of this seizure medication include clumsiness, double vision, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting (ironically the same side effects felt after a seizure)

These side effects occur mostly when you begin taking the drug
Your body needs time to adjust to the medication

Even now I have bouts of dizziness, clumsiness, double vision,
and slurred speech

Occasionally, Dilantin causes a liver disorder If your skin
appears yellow, you have a rash, your appetite no longer exists,
and you frequently feel tired then see your doctor immediately

If you have ever had liver disease be sure to tell your doctor
before you start taking Dilantin You may not be able to use
this seizure medication

Low blood pressure is another possible side effect I mean ‘the
feeling ice cold while shaking uncontrollably until you pass out’
kind of low blood pressure

This happened to me once I actually felt my blood pressure drop
I should have gone to a hospital But, like most people, I
stubbornly refused But I suffered a long hellish two hours before my blood pressure rose again I was lucky

Dilantin can also cause excessive facial hair growth, which is not great if you happen to be a woman

Be prepared to improve your dental hygiene Dilantin often causes
the gums to swell and bleed Break out the dental floss and start
using it every day Your dentist will insist on it

If you are a woman planning to have children, and you’re using
Dilantin, then be aware there is a small chance for congenital
malformations This risk increases if you are taking more than
one anti-seizure drug

Now, the FDA has rated Dilantin a category ‘C’ drug, which means
the FDA isn’t sure whether or not this drug causes birth defects

But why take a chance? Talk to your doctor

For you diabetics, Dilantin may increase your blood sugar Be extra careful while monitoring your blood sugar levels

You cannot drink alcohol while using this medication No ‘But what if’s'! The beers you chug with your best buddy will react with the medication by either putting you into a deep sedation or it will cause you to have a seizure

I found this out the hard way, only I was awake during the seizure You don’t want to be awake during a grand mal seizure! Being unconscious is the epileptic’s friend, believe me

Avoid sleeping pills, aspirin, and heartburn medications These
drugs combined with Dilantin can bring on a seizure

I drink a cup of chamomile tea before bedtime I use ibuprofren
for headaches I don’t need to use any heartburn medications
(knock on wood)

These are only a few of the medications you need to avoid while on Dilantin Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any medications, including herbal supplements

You will need to increase your intake of vitamin ‘D’, vitamins ‘B6′and ‘B12′, your calcium intake, as well as iron and folic acid Dilantin decreases all of these supplements in your body

Don’t let this information scare you You hear scarier side effects caused by other prescription drugs on those TV commercials

Dilantin is cheap and it works The side effects are regrettable,
but nothing in life is perfect

I can function normally because Dilantin has tamed my rebellious
brain Its side effects have become a minor inconvenience easily
lived with

Talk to your doctor if you have questions concerning this or
any other epilepsy medication If your doctor speaks in ‘medicalese’insist he or she speak in plain English

For more information on this and other epilepsy medications
visit the American Epilepsy Society online

Epilepsy can be frightening But Dilantin can tame the beast

Jenny Harker is an experienced writer, gardener, and seasoned epileptic

Copyright Jenny Harker 2005

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