| What is Dilantin?
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Dilantin is an antiepileptic drug prescribed to control grand mal seizures
and temporal lobe seizures. |
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| Are there any side effects associated with Dilantin?
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Dilantin side effects may include decreased coordination, involuntary eye movement, mental confusion,
and slurred speech.
If the side effects continue or are bothersome, check with
your doctor. Other Dilantin side effects may include abnormal hair growth, abnormal muscle tone, blood disorders, coarsening of facial features, constipation, dizziness, enlargement of lips, fever, headache, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, joint pain, nausea, nervousness, overgrowth of gum tissue, Peyronie's disease, rapid and spastic involuntary movement, skin peeling or scaling, skin rash, tremors, twitching, vomiting,
and yellowing of skin and eyes. |
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| How is Dilantin taken?
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Follow the directions for taking Dilantin provided by your doctor. It is important that you strictly follow the prescribed dosage regimen and tell your doctor about any condition that makes it impossible for you to take Dilantin as prescribed. If you are given Dilantin Oral Suspension, shake it well before using. Use the specially marked measuring spoon, a plastic syringe, or a small measuring cup to measure each dose accurately. Swallow Dilantin Kapseals whole. Dilantin Infatabs can be either chewed thoroughly and then swallowed, or swallowed whole. The Infatabs are not to be used for once-a-day dosing. Do not change from one form of Dilantin to another without consulting your doctor. Different products may not work the same way.
If you miss a dose and you take one dose a day, take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule.
Do not take
two doses at once. If you take more than 1 dose a day, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is within 4 hours of your next dose, skip the one you missed and
go back to your regular schedule.
Do not take
two doses at once. If you forget to take your medication 2 or more days in a row, check with your doctor. |
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| Are there any effects of taking Dilantin with other medications?
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Some medicines may interact with Dilantin. Inform your doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Dilantin with
alcohol, amiodarone, antacids containing calcium, blood-thinning drugs,
chloramphenicol, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, dicumarol, digitoxin,
disulfiram, doxycycline, estrogens, felbamate, fluoxetine, furosemide,
isoniazid, major tranquilizers, methylphenidate, molindone hydrochloride,
oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, quinidine, reserpine, rifampin,
salicylates, seizure medications, steroid drugs, sucralfate, sulfa drugs,
theophylline, tolbutamide, trazodone, or ulcer medications. Tricyclic antidepressants
may cause seizures in susceptible people, making a dosage adjustment of Dilantin necessary. Hyperglycemia
may occur in people taking Dilantin, which blocks the release of insulin. People with diabetes may experience increased blood sugar levels due to
Dilantin. Abnormal softening of the bones may occur in people taking Dilantin because of Dilantin's interference with vitamin D metabolism. |
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| How should I store Dilantin?
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Store Dilantin at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from heat and light. |
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