What Are the Treatments for Dilantin Toxicity?

Dilantin is a type of medication prescribed to epileptics for the prevention of seizures. Dilantin toxicity occurs when you overdose on this medication. Medical attention must be sought immediately in such a case.

Symptoms

• Medline Plus reports that the symptoms of Dilantin toxicity include: nausea, vomiting, fever, low blood pressure, coma, sudden fatigue, confusion, slurred speech, trouble with walking, swollen gums, and tremors.

Gastric Lavage

• Gastric lavage is used for early cases of Dilantin toxicity to flush your stomach of Dilantin. During this process, a tube is inserted into your stomach through your mouth. Medline Plus advises that you do not induce vomiting unless you are instructed to by a professional.

Activated Charcoal

• Activated charcoal helps your body better absorb the excess Dilantin, according to eMedTV. Activated charcoal is fed orally in doses.

Charcoal Hemoperfusion

• Charcoal Hemoperfusion is a method for Dilantin toxicity that also utilizes activated charcoal, reports eMedTV. During this process, the activated charcoal is filtered through your blood, directly absorbing the Dilantin. This method is quicker than standard activated charcoal, and is therefore used for more severe cases.

Prognosis

• If caught early, Dilantin toxicity is treatable. According to Medline Plus, you will recover within two days, or within five days for a more severe overdose.