Phenytoin: profile and news

New Study Shows Initial Treatment With 800 mg/day Imatinib ... May 15, 2006
...least 50% and clinical response should be carefully monitored in patients receiving Gleevec tablets with a potent CYP3A4 inducer such as rifampin or phenytoin. ... - DG News

Anticonvulsant Treatment for Psychiatric and Seizure Indications ... May 4, 2006
...of a psychiatric disorder only (1). A majority of those with a seizure disorder (66 percent) were given a prescription for phenobarbital or phenytoin, and most ... - Psychiatric Services (subscription)

Lamotrigine Improves Depressed Mood in Women With Epilepsy ... May 11, 2006
Background antiepileptic drugs were phenytoin (26%), carbamazepine (19%), valproic acid (15%), oxcarbazepine (13%) and topiramate (9%). ... - DG News

Self-Mutilation of Fingers After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury May 9, 2006
...cases. Carbamazepine was used in four of the cases. Phenytoin and gabapentin were each utilized in two separate cases. Soft barriers ... - Psychosomatics (subscription)

Neuropathic Pain: An Update on Effective Management Strategies May 5, 2006
Other antiepileptic agents include the first-generation agents (eg, phenytoin and carbamazepine) and second-generation agents (eg, lamotrigine, levetiracetam ... - Medscape (subscription)

Halozyme Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2006 Financial Results May 10, 2006
Precautions for the use of Hylenex consist of incompatibility with furosemide, benzodiazepines and phenytoin, and recommendation for consulting appropriate ... - PR Newswire (press release),

Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus Apr 30, 2006
...cause diabetes. Certain drugs can also cause temporary diabetes, including corticosteroids, beta-blockers, and phenytoin. Rare genetic ... - About - News & Issues,

Can you diagnose cancer without a biopsy? Apr 30, 2006
Some drugs – anticonvulsants including phenytoin and sodium valproate, benzodiazepines like diazepam (valium) and high-dose steroids – increase the risk of ... - The Herald,

Other information

Indication
For the treatment of refractory partial epilepsy

Pharmacology
Mephenytoin is an antiepileptic drug which can be useful in the treatment of epilepsy. The primary site of action appears to be the motor cortex where spread of seizure activity is inhibited. Possibly by promoting sodium efflux from neurons, Mephenytoin tends to stabilize the threshold against hyperexcitability caused by excessive stimulation or environmental changes capable of reducing membrane sodium gradient. This includes the reduction of posttetanic potentiation at synapses. Loss of posttetanic potentiation prevents cortical seizure foci from detonating adjacent cortical areas. Mephenytoin reduces the maximal activity of brain stem centers responsible for the tonic phase of tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures.

Mechanism Of Action
The mechanism of action of Mephenytoin is not definitely known, but extensive research strongly suggests that its main mechanism is to block frequency-, use- and voltage-dependent neuronal sodium channels, and therefore limit repetitive firing of action potentials.

Drug Category
Anticonvulsants; ATC:N03AB04

Brand Names/Synonyms
Dilantin; Dilantin-125; Epiazin; Epilan; Fenantoin; Gerot-Epilan; Insulton; Mephentoin; Mephenytoin; Mesantoin; Mesdontoin; Mesontoin; Methoin; Methyl Hydantoin; Methylphenetoin; Metydan; NSC-34652; Phenantoin; Phentytoin; Phenylethylmethylhydantoin; Phenytoin; Sacerno; Sedantional; Sedantoin; Sedantoinal; Triantoin

Dosage Forms
Tablet

Absorption
Not Available

Interactions
Drug Interactions: Some anticonvulsants may interact with Mephenytoin. They can either increase or decrease the effect of Mephenytoin. Those anticonvulsants include divalproex sodium, valproic acid, and phenobarbital. Mephenytoin may also affect the effects of other drugs, which include some steroid medications, warfarin, certain heart medicines, birth control pills, anti-infective medicines, furosemide and theophylline Please note that Mephenytoin may interact with other drugs that are not listed here.

Chemical IUPAC Name
5-ethyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione

Chemical Formula
C12H14N2O2

Half Life
~7 hours

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00512

CAS Registry Number
50-12-4