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The Daily Insight

How do you make phenytoin

Author

Mia Morrison

Published Feb 15, 2026

For administration by intravenous infusion phenytoin injection should be diluted in 50 – 100 ml of normal saline, and the final concentration of phenytoin in the solution should not exceed 10 mg/ml, the infusion mixture should not be refrigerated.

Is phenytoin a salt?

Phenytoin Sodium is the sodium salt form of phenytoin, a hydantoin derivate and non-sedative antiepileptic agent with anticonvulsant activity. Phenytoin sodium promotes sodium efflux from neurons located in the motor cortex, thereby stabilizing the neuron and inhibiting synaptic transmission.

Is phenytoin sodium same as phenytoin?

Phenytoin (FEN-ih-toe-in) is the generic name (non–brand name) of a widely used seizure medicine. Common brand names for this type of medicine include Dilantin, Phenytek, and Epanutin (in the UK), but it is also sold using the name phenytoin or phenytoin sodium.

What are the ingredients in Dilantin?

Active ingredient: 100 mg phenytoin sodium Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, confectioner’s sugar, talc, and magnesium stearate. The capsule body contains titanium dioxide and gelatin.

Is phenytoin the same as Dilantin?

Phenytoin is the generic name of a widely used antiepileptic drug (AED). In the United States, phenytoin is known by the brand names Dilantin and Phenytek (an extended-release form).

Why is phenytoin not given with dextrose?

References (20) … Propylene glycol, an organic co-solvent used to prepare phenytoin sodium injection interacts with glucose that results in enhancement of the precipitation of phenytoin. 2 Hence, phenytoin sodium should not be diluted in dextrose solutions for infusion.

Is phenytoin a hydantoin?

Phenytoin is a hydantoin derivative, a first-generation anti-convulsant drug that is effective in the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, complex partial seizures, and status epilepticus without significantly impairing neurological function.

Is phenytoin still used?

Phenytoin (5,5-diphenylhydantoin), which has been in use for 60 years, is still an important antiepileptic drug.

What causes phenytoin toxicity?

Phenytoin toxicity can occur from an increase in the daily dose of phenytoin, changes in the formulations or brands as well as changes in the frequency of administration. It can also occur when patients are started on new medications that interact with the metabolism or binding capacity of phenytoin to plasma proteins.

Why is phenytoin used in status epilepticus?

While diazepam, administered IV, remains the drug of choice for the short-term control of seizures associated with compromised respiratory exchange, phenytoin is effective in preventing recurrence of such seizures and in treating most other forms of status epilepticus.

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Is phenytoin a weak acid?

Phenytoin (PHT; 5,5-diphenylhydantoin) is a weak acid with pKa of 8.3 (1). The compound is a crystalline substance with a molecular weight of 252.3 and a melting point of 295-298 C.

What are the side effects of taking DILANTIN?

Headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, feeling of spinning, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, or nervousness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Phenytoin may cause swelling and bleeding of the gums.

What happens when DILANTIN is stopped?

Stopping DILANTIN suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause you to have seizures more often or seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Like other antiepileptic drugs, DILANTIN may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500.

Does DILANTIN affect your kidneys?

DILANTIN can cause a type of serious allergic reaction that may affect different parts of the body such as your liver, kidneys, blood, heart, skin or other parts of your body. These can be very serious and cause death.

Can you take vitamin D with Dilantin?

Dear Seizure patient, The biggest thing to know, related to vitamin supplementation while taking this medications involves your vitamin D levels. Long term use of phenytoin (Dilantin) can deplete your vitamin D levels leading to the potential for other problems.

How does alcohol affect phenytoin?

What should I avoid while taking phenytoin? Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking phenytoin. Alcohol use can increase your blood levels of phenytoin and may increase side effects. Daily alcohol use can decrease your blood levels of phenytoin, which can increase your risk of seizures.

Which drug contain hydantoin nucleus?

In pharmaceuticals, hydantoin derivatives form a class of anticonvulsants; phenytoin and fosphenytoin both contain hydantoin moieties and are both used as anticonvulsants in the treatment of seizure disorders.

What drug can replace phenytoin?

Levetiracetam is a useful alternative to phenytoin for epileptic seizures in children.

What class of drug is phenytoin?

Phenytoin is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Is phenytoin a controlled substance?

Dilantin phenobarbital 32 mg / phenytoin sodium 100 mg is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Is the drug gabapentin?

Gabapentin is used with other medications to prevent and control seizures. It is also used to relieve nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection) in adults. Gabapentin is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.

What is phenytoin soluble?

Phenytoin is a white, odorless powder at room temperature (Ak- ron 2009). It is practically insoluble in water, but it is soluble in ace- tone, ethanol, and alkali hydroxides (IARC 1996).

What is hydantoin syndrome?

Fetal hydantoin syndrome is a characteristic pattern of mental and physical birth defects that results from maternal use of the anti-seizure (anticonvulsant) drug phenytoin (Dilantin) during pregnancy. The range and severity of associated abnormalities will vary greatly from one infant to another.

What is purple glove syndrome?

Purple glove syndrome (PGS) is a rare complication of intravenous phenytoin use that typically presents with pain, edema, and discoloration at the injection site that spreads to the distal limb.

What should I check before giving phenytoin?

  1. Complete blood count.
  2. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine test to check kidney function.
  3. Liver function tests.
  4. Glucose test to measure your blood sugar, because phenytoin can cause your blood sugar to rise.
  5. Blood tests to measure the sodium level in your blood.

What medication will crystalize with d5ns?

Med Help International, Ativan crystallize in d5ns. Dilantin, Dilantin Infatabs, Phenytek. Medically reviewed on Jan 8, Must be administered IV slowly.

How is phenytoin excreted?

Hepatic microsomal enzymes primarily metabolize phenytoin. Much of the drug is excreted in the bile as an inactive metabolite, which is then reabsorbed from the intestinal tract and ultimately excreted in the urine. Less than 5% of phenytoin is excreted unchanged in the urine.

Is phenytoin a high risk medication?

The high-alert medications were: amiodarone, digoxin, dopamine, epinephrine, fentanyl, gentamycin, heparine, insulin, morphine, norepinephrine, phenytoin, potassium, propofol and tacrolimus.

What is the major concern after administering phenytoin to a patient with seizure?

Nervous System: The most common adverse reactions encountered with phenytoin therapy are nervous system reactions and are usually dose-related. Reactions include nystagmus, ataxia, slurred speech, decreased coordination, somnolence, and mental confusion.

Why is phenytoin given at night?

For example, if the delayed-action phenytoin is taken in the evening in place of ordinary phenytoin, it might be hoped that it would produce by the next morning higher blood and tissue concentrations of phenytoin than would the ordinary prepara- tion, thus reducing the risk of an early morning epileptic seizure.

How long does phenytoin last?

The plasma half-life in man after oral administration of phenytoin averages 22 hours, with a range of 7 to 42 hours. Steady-state therapeutic levels are achieved at least 7 to 10 days (5–7 half- lives) after initiation of therapy with recommended doses of 300 mg/day.