DILANTIN Reviews (PHENYTOIN SODIUM)Average Rating: 3.5 (185 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare DILANTIN with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on DILANTIN: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DILANTIN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 4 | gran mal epilepsy | I have begun to experience peripheral neuropathy, and combined with menopause, memory problems. Lipitor use brought on a seizure and so did use of generic medication. | This medication has been good to me,controlling my seizures, but I wish the discussion of the side effects and what to watch for was done up front by the drs. The gp. does not know what to look for as a side effect and the neurologist sees me extremely infrequently. | F | 56 | 40 years | 7/30/2005 | 3 | due to having cerebral palsy. | i have been taking 500mg of dilantin every day for over ten years... experienced most side effects... so far the worst effect has been the extreme gum/teeth damage. i was warned about gum problems... but not at this extent... very painful mosta the time. i myself am researching different meds... does help w/seizures... not sure if the pain of effects r worth it though. | F | 29 | 10 years | 7/27/2005 | 2 | Diabetes | Loss of Memory, Forgetfullness, Tired all the time, stomach pains,and pimples. | I had to start taking Dilantin because I would have seizure when my blood sugar would be too low. The doctor said the medicine might help with them. I guess as an extra precaution but I don't think its good and I don't like the medicine. | F | 23 | 1 months | 7/19/2005 | 1 | epilepsy-grand-mal seizures | Tremors, slurring of speech, increased seizure activity | My son was on this after Depakote, and he had longer seizures, and ended up in the emergency room having a grand-mal seiure over 5 minutes long. | M | 5 | 4 weeks | 7/19/2005 | 4 | seizure disorder | My hygentist noticed some affect to my gums from this med, I also believe it causes me to feel tired and some memory issues. My being tired is a contributing factor toward having mild anxiety attacks. I also notice darker hair growth incl onmy hands and under fore-arms around the wrist, and face. As of late I have also felt a skin crawling which I guess is a result of the hair growth. Otherwise this med controls my grandmal seizures | My Dr. plans to switch me from it in case I decide to get pregnant in the future. I carried one baby successfully to term with no ill-effects to the fetus. But they were esp watchful of heart and spine disorders to the fetus. She was delivered healthy and strong. We were happy to see she did not have any finger, toe or facial structure problems such as cleft lip or palate which has also been associated with babies born to mothers on Dilantin. | F | 31 | 3 years | 7/15/2005 | 4 | Epilepsy | Decreased brain activity, tiredness/lethargy, lower levels of some vitamins(D and possibly B complex). Folic Acid supplement is a MUST for all users of Dilantin. Talk to your doctor for info. | It does keep me seizure free provided I have a normal sleep pattern of 8 hours a day. Without the sleep it is much less effective if not ineffective. I don't like what it did to me mentally. I have no choice. IMPORTANT TAKE SUPPLEMENTAL VITAMINS. Vitamin D is important in formation of bones and teeth. Dilantin lowers this vitamin level as a known side effect. Vitamin B-complex uptake I believe may also be affected. Vitamin B6 also helps in proper function of the neurons or nerves. B-12 loss affects short term memory. Vitamin B-12 deficiency symptoms include: loss of appetite, numbness and tingling of hands and feet, paleness, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, confusion or change in mental status in severe or advanced cases. These symptoms echo the side effects of Dilantin. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first. The generic version of Dilantin did not work with me. | M | 41 | 14 years | 6/25/2005 | 3 | seizures from mild tbi | The dilantin has the least side effects but I sleep at least 8 hours at night and then a 2-3 hour nap half way into the day. I am finding this drug sedative. | The dilantin only covers my partial and tonic-clonic seizures. This medication is not covering my absence, myoclonic and atonic seizures. Of all the seizure medications I have tried I do like dilantin the best for not haveing any effect on a personality change. | F | 48 | 3 days | 5/20/2005 | 4 | Grand mal & petit mal seizures- | Immune system, memory, gums have receded from teeth. However Dilantin can control the seizure as long as my Dilantin level is at a proper level. I have tried several anti-convulsant medications. I have experienced fewer side effects with Dilantin. | Along with taking the daily dosages of Dilantin, I have done research and try to take responsibility for my daily activities. I know what triggers my seizures and attempt to avoid them. I experienced a grand mal four weeks ago, just days after back surgery. It turns out that my Dilantin level was a four. It is a shame that I can not keep track of my levels other than going to a lab to have blood drawn. As with people with diabetes checking their surgar levels it would be great if people plagued with seizures had a method of making sure that their anti-convulsant medication was at a safe level. | F | 53 | 30 years | 4/15/2005 | 3 | Cavernous Angioma-Brain Sugery | I have a terrible memory to small details, have a very short attenion span during school, mental confusion, sometimes spaz attacks, unsteady gate when driving, some not so noticable twitches | It helps for siezures but its hard to say i would have more because I have only had 2 (that i know of) before sugery, and i was up too 10 give or take petite siezures daily. School is rough! My teachers do nothing. | M | 17 | 8 months | 3/31/2005 | 3 | nighttime seizure-cavernous angioma | First 2 weeks, I was totally drained, wanted to sleep all the time, seems to have evened out a bit. In general, I sleep OK now and feel normal. | I'm taking it because of a nighttime seizure I had. I have been diagnosed with a cavernous angioma (a birth defect in my brain, some veins leak a little blood and cause irritation) The docs tell me that this caused my seizure. I've known about it for 8 years, but opted not to take any medicine, because the only symptom was a face twitch, that was just a nuisance. I took Dilantin a few years ago, and thought the medicine effects were worse than the face twitch, so told my doctor that I wouldn't take it anymore. Now I have to take it because my driver's license has been suspended, and I need to get it reinstated. Am considering surgery to fix the problem, and then, I am told, I won't have to take medicine any more after a couple of years. | M | 45 | 28 days | 2/5/2005 | 2 | Seizures | I've been taking this med for forty years. I've had the gum problems, hair growth on arm, sluggishness, you name it. | I'm having a lot of memory problems and want to know if anyone can attribute this to Dilantin. | F | 53 | 41 days | 1/25/2005 | 3 | unexplained seizures | I've been a poor sleeper and had delicate digestion all my life and the dilantin treatment (almost two years now) seems to have increased the efects of both those things. C'est la vie -- I'd rather endure moderate irritations than have seizures. I bitched at first but learned to eat a high(VERY HIGH)fibre diet, and not much else. Look for the silver lining -- I now have a flat stomach! | I've not seen mentioned in any other information site a strange symptom of mine, which is extreme itchiness in the middle of the night -- not a rash, just an overpowering need to scratch | M | 47 | 2 days | 1/15/2005 | 4 | tonic-clonic seizures | I've been taking 300-400 mg/day Dilantin for 14 years, and I noticed minor problems with memory, cordination, concentration, and gingiva. I had only two seizures in ten years and they occured one after another(2 months period) when I changed Dilantin to generic phenytoin. | If you taking Dilantin, don't change or substitute for another brand of Phenytoin, and do blood analysis every six months. | M | 32 | 14 years | 11/25/2004 | 3 | Seazure | none except seazure | I hope the seazure go away and the only time i am having the seazure is at night while i am onthe bed | M | 23 | 1 days | 11/14/2004 | 4 | Epilepsy (Grand mal) | sleepless nights, general coordination and some memory impairment | A good drug. I would caution using generic forms of this drug. The first time I tried a generic (manufactured by Mylex); I had seizures within a week. My blood levels were found to be 25% of normal, even though I had not missed any doses. (While the chemical content may be equivalent, the capsule casings are not. Moisture penitration can easily | M | 44 | 30 years | 11/3/2004 | 5 | Epilepsy | I have been taking Dilantin for over ten years I now feel that I have an excellent memory, I have a increased interest in learning, given I can remember more. I feel stronger than ever and no longer suffer from seizures. I have been fit free for over four years and those were only caused from incorrect dosage and marijuana use. Friends comment on my young looks and my skin seems to be remaining young looking, we shall see how the next tens years treats me. | Dilantin lets me continue to live a fit free life, and I feel has given me reason to learn. | M | 30 | 10 years | 9/27/2004 | 4 | Unexplained seizure disorder | I've taken this medicine for 26 years. I have experienced problems with my gums in the past but that has gone away with regular trips to the dentist. After being on this medication for this long and also being in menopause, I have had to start taking Fosamax to help my bone density. After 2 years, my bone density is back to normal but I continue to take the Fosamax. Another side effect is some facial hair but with todays hair removers, this is not worth worrying about. My coordination is not perfect because of the medicine but I have learned to live with it. The main thing is, it basically controls my seizures and I can live with the side effects which is all anyone can ask for. | F | 48 | 26 years | 8/3/2004 | 3 | epilepsy | loss of sleep/inability to fall asleep. loss of coordination/balance. | while not having had seizures since beginning taking dilantin i found that after about a week i started having problems sleeping, average sleep time a night now being about 3/4 hours a night, and i no longer enjoy dance due to increase in stumbling about. | F | 19 | 7 months | 7/8/2004 | 4 | unexplained seizure | fell tired crazy dreams every night some short term memory loss | only been taking for 3 weeks now but no seizures yet living one day at a time 450 mg a day | M | 42 | 3 weeks | 5/9/2004 | 2 | seizures | I'm always tired.I sleep most of the day. It was going well, but when i recently increased it, my body hair has darken from blonde to black.It's happen to my arms,legs,and even my face! Oh, i forgot to mention hair grow also on my arms and now its started on my face.(facial)I've never had that problem until now.I'm so upset that I'm going to switch medications soon.The only good thing is,it helps my seizures. | F | 17 | 7 years | 4/30/2004 |