DIPHANTOINE (DILANTIN) INDICATIONS
Diphantoine is used to control seizures. It is not made to treat all types of seizures, and your doctor will determine if it is the right medication for you. Diphantoine is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.
DIPHANTOINE (DILANTIN) INSTRUCTIONS
Use Diphantoine as directed by your doctor.
- Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
- Do not crush, chew, break, or open a capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
- To be sure Diphantoine is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often.
- If you miss a dose of Diphantoine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Diphantoine.
DIPHANTOINE (DILANTIN) STORAGE
Store Diphantoine at room temperature. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Diphantoine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
DIPHANTOINE (DILANTIN) MORE INFO:
Active Ingredient: Phenytoin.
Do NOT useDiphantoine
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Diphantoine or to another hydantoin (eg, fosphenytoin).
Some medical conditions may interact with Diphantoine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a blood disease (eg, porphyria), liver disease, diabetes, or a history of lymph gland problems
- if you are in very poor heath
- if you drink alcohol or have a history of alcohol abuse
- if you have been tested and know whether or not you have a gene type called HLA-B*1502.
Some medicines may interact with Diphantoine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many other prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for asthma, blood thinning, diabetes, infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, birth control, hormone replacement, mental or mood problems, sleep seizures), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Diphantoine, increasing the risk of side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines might interfere with Diphantoine.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Diphantoine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Important safety information:
- Diphantoine may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Diphantoine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are taking Diphantoine. Alcohol may increase or decrease the amount of medicine in your blood.
- Do not change brands or dose forms (eg, tablets, suspension, injection) of Diphantoine without talking with your doctor.
- Do not take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Proper dental care is important while you are taking Diphantoine. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
- Diphantoine may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- There have been reports of lymph node problems, including cancer, in patients who take Diphantoine. It is not known if Diphantoine may be the cause. Contact your doctor right away if you develop swollen lymph nodes, fever, rash, dark urine, stomach pain, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Diphantoine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Diphantoine. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
- Patients who have a certain gene type called HLA-B*1502 may have an increased risk for serious skin reactions from Diphantoine. This gene type is found most commonly in Asian patients. Tell your doctor if you have been tested and know whether or not you have the HLA-B*1502 gene type. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Diphantoine may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Diphantoine.
- Lab tests, including blood phenytoin levels, may be performed while you use Diphantoine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Diphantoine with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Women who take Diphantoine may experience an increase in seizure activity if they become pregnant. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Diphantoine may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Diphantoine while you are pregnant. Diphantoine is found in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Diphantoine.
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.
Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; dizziness; headache; mild nervousness; nausea; trouble sleeping; vomiting.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bone pain; butterfly-shaped rash on the face; clumsiness or unsteadiness; confusion; dark urine; delirium; high blood sugar (flushing; fruit-like breath odor; increased thirst, hunger, or urination; rapid breathing); mental or mood changes; numbness or tingling of the hands or feet; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; signs of infection (eg, chills, fever, sore throat); slurred speech; stomach pain; swollen lymph nodes; swollen or tender gums; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual eye movements; unusual muscle movements; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.