Get Informed: Dilantin
Active Ingredient(s)
Phenytoin
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of seizures and epilepsy. It works by stabilizing the neurons in the central nervous to prevent hyperexcitability which can induce a seizure.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 2:17 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Dilantin
- Phenytoin
- Phenytoin Sodium
- Phenytoin Sodium Extended
- Phenytek
- Dilantin Sodium
- Epanutin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- D
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 06 Jan 1953
- Est US Patients*
- 547,200
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Dilantin or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Dilantin
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Dilantin during the past year.
Dilantin Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Dilantin used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 3,600 patients that use Dilantin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Epilepsy/Seizures | 100% | 
|
| Bipolar Disorder | 2% |
|
How well does Dilantin work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,600 users taking Dilantin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 84%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Dilantin outweigh the bad things.
- 17%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Dilantin.
Common Side Effects of Dilantin
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,600 users taking Dilantin (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
63% of patients experience side-effects on Dilantin
20% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Dilantin
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Dental Problems
-
Drowsiness
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Insomnia
-
Dizziness
-
Fatigue
-
Hair Growth
-
Light Sensitivity
-
Dryness
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Anxiety, Bruising, Grogginess/Confusion, Heartburn/Reflux, Itch/Rash, Nausea/Vomiting, Tics/Twitches, Tremor, Vivid Dreams, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Dilantin (Phenytoin) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am so tired while taking this medication!!!
22 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-01 16:08:25
Answer/Reply:
Regarding the tiredness while on this med, hang in there. It does get better, but it may take time. I've been on it for about 12 years (but it did not take that long to adjust). Also, have your blood levels of this medication checked regularly (this is usually required anyway). I found early on that excessive sleepiness would coincide with blood levels of the drug higher then the necessary therapeutic levels. My Doctor would then make minor adjustments to my dosage - but only the Doctor can make that determination as the most important thing is being seizure free (or at least reduced).
40 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-04 07:30:07
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Phenytoin sodium for 11 year's now and I take it for seziures and it work's.But I have also learned that no matter what you do take for seziures you can still have them while your taking the medician. So it doe's help control them but you can still have them,and that is the only problem that I do have.
26 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-04 09:20:46
Question/Comment:
This is a general comment on Dilantin. I have been taking dilanting for 40 years and have been seizure free during that time.
The only adjustment made was when a doctor tested the amount of Dilantin in my blood and had to up the dosage.
Word to the wise. Make sure your doctor tests you for Dilantin level as well as your liver.
73 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-19 09:50:06
Question/Comment:
My ins.co.sent me a letter stating that Dilantin is no longer on their preferred list,and that I must change over to the plan-preferred alternative, Phenytoin Sodium Extended (various). What can I expect .?
82 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-15 09:51:57
iGuard Answer/Reply:
In order to be FDA-approved for generic substitution, manufacturers of phenytoin sodium extended must show that it contains the same amount of phenytoin active ingredient and dissolves in the same way as the branded Dilantin. With a critical medication such as phenytoin, be sure to inform your doctor that your insurance company is switching to a different product. Your doctor should recheck your phenytoin levels because even a small change can make a difference in your phenytoin level. As long as your levels are monitored to make sure they remain therapeutic at the goal range, you should not experience other issues. You will also want to make sure that you continue on the same manufacturer of the generic product. If switching between generic manufacturers is unavoidable, please notify your doctor about the switch.
Posted: 2010-01-16 00:07:27
Answer/Reply:
Do Not change from Dilantin to a generic. There are many sources that tell you the consequences all of which are not good.
You can ask your doctor to ask the insurance if they can make an exception (I think)
73 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-19 09:42:53
Question/Comment:
Are there different recipes for Phenytoin? I was or at least seemed that I was doing fine taking Phenytoin (generic dilantin) that was purchased at one pharmacy. Then my insurance company recommended that I buy it from another company for alot less money, which is through them. Once I started taking it, it seems like they donot work the same. I had problems with memory and alot more hot flashes that I had ever had taking it supplied by the first supplier. Are the fillers or ingredients to make Phenytoin varied and allowed that now you have to find a particular maker of Phenytoin that has the right added ingredients that agree with your system? What a lesson to learn.
63 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-13 22:11:49
Answer/Reply:
Recipes/fillers really shouldn't differ too much from once pharmacy or drug maker to another. However, I have heard that some Doctors recommend the name brand over the generic due to potency issues and my own experience with this med is that the "brand" name seems slightly more potent then the generic. Once when I switched from the generic to the primary maker of the drug it seemed as though I had an increase in the side effects (sleepiness, concentration problems) similar to when I started taking the meds for the very first time. Eventually the increased side effects lessened. But if they don't, I would recommend speaking with your Doctor. More importantly, your Doctor may want to do a blood level test for the drug to be certain that the different makers' drug is being absorbed into your body at the recommended level.
Hope that helps.
40 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-18 14:46:30
Answer/Reply:
Dilantin has several generics with varied ingreidients from different companies. Some people can take them. I cannot. I think the generic Dilantin is crap. When I first started Dilantin 21 yrs. ago cuz of seizures because of a head injury from a wreck, I started using the generic. After several seizures (I knew when they were going to happen), I talked to my dr. He wrote my RX for brand only and I haven't had a seizure in 9 yrs. But I have to take it the rest of my life cuz the 3 times I've been weaned of it and was off it for a couple mos., my seizures would start again. My ins. covered the brand cuz the doc wrote them for brand only. If you have trouble with your ins. co. about it, have your doc talk to them or send them a letter. They usually will pay for them. Hope this helps.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-18 23:52:06
Answer/Reply:
I was told by my pharmacist, after taking generic phenytoin, that the grade of the drug dilantin was finer than the generic and that I was able to digest it better versus the generic.
46 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-21 00:13:50
iGuard Answer/Reply:
The FDA requires different manufacturers of phenytoin to show that their product has the same amount of active ingredient in each pill and dissolves in the same way as the branded product in order to be approved as a generic equivalent. However, there have been several reports of patients responding differently when they switch between phenytoin manufacturers. It is also possible that the different inactive ingredients cause these problems.
Since phenytoin has a very small therapeutic range, it is best to avoid switching generic manufacturers, especially if you are stabilized on one specific manufacturer's product. If you do need to change manufacturers for any reason, make a follow-up call to your physician to have your phenytoin level checked.
If your current symptoms have not improved, please make an appointment with your physician to evaluate what is causing these symptoms.
Posted: 2009-08-21 10:19:21
Answer/Reply:
Im not sure I just got on that drug.Was taking Dilantim but dito insurance deal.Renee
57 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-22 13:22:13
Answer/Reply:
I have the same problem, that is really weired that someone has the same symptoms as I do.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-24 18:24:05
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Patient Comments about
Dilantin