Side Effects of Dilantin for Seizure Treatment

A seizure is an episode of involuntary contractions of muscle and an alteration of the state of consciousness that occurs suddenly and without control. There are several different types of seizures, and the symptoms can vary depending upon the type. For individuals with recurrent seizures, or epilepsy, dilantin is often prescribed to control the occurrence of seizures. While all medicines have the potential to cause side effects, many people have very minor or even no side effects.

Mood Changes

• Since dilantin's mechanism of action is based in neuroscience and alters one's brain chemistry, one of the common side effects of taking the medication is a change in mood or behavior. Noted mood changes include depression, anxiety, agitation, hostility, restlessness or suicidal thoughts. Behavioral side effects include feelings of hyperactivity, both mentally and physically, and slurred speech. If mood and behavior changes are persistent, it is important to notify your doctor or pharmacist to evaluate the medicine's dosing for accuracy.

Serious Adverse Effects

• Serious side efffects that have been reported with dilantin use include swollen glands; fever, sore throat and headache with blistering, peeling or skin rash; confusion or hallucinations; loss of balance; nausea, stomach pain, or flu-like symptoms; bruising or bleeding; tender gums; or a change in face shape. Any of these side effects, although infrequent among dilantin users, should be immediately reported to your phsyician.

Mild Adverse Effects

• Less serious adverse effects associated with dilantin have been reported, including skin rashes and itching, dizziness, sleeping problems, twitching, nausea or constipation, headaches and joint pain. These symptoms should be reported to your pharmacist or physician, but an emergency appointment is not necessary. These symptoms may be dose related or simply a minor reaction inherent to how your body metabolises the medication.

Allergic Reactions

• Allergic reactions to medications are not uncommon and dilantin is no exception. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to dilantin can include, but are not limited to, hives, swelling of facial areas and difficult breathing. If skin related reactions become severe, reporting the symptoms to your physician is very important due to the potential for Stevens Johnson Syndrom associated with taking dilantin. The syndrome is characterized by peeling skin, rashes and sores on the skin that can eventually lead to death if left untreated.

Adverse event reporting

• When you encounter an adverse event associated with taking dilantin, it is important to report the event to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enable consistent and effective tracking and accountability for events that arise following drug approvals. Doing so allows drug companies and the FDA to monitor safety and efficacy of the product to ensure that it remains a safe product for individuals to take.