How to Administer IV Dilantin

Dilantin is an anti-seizure medication manufactured and distributed in the United States by Parke-Davis. The generic name of Dilantin is phenytoin. Dilantin is usually taken orally, but in some cases may be administered through an IV tube to control convulsions. Intravenous forms of Dilantin are composed of the drug followed by a saline solution and must be administered slowly into a large vein, according to Drugs.com.

Things You'll Need

• Large-gauge needle or IV catheter
• Dilantin
• Sterile saline
• ECG test
• Blood pressure cuff

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Instructions

• 1

  Use a large-gauge needle or an IV catheter to administer Dilantin. Parke-Davis, the makers of Dilantin, explain that the medication should be given on its own intravenously, rather than being added to IV fluids a patient may already be receiving. Intravenous drugs must be administered by a trained medical professional to ensure safety and sterility. According to the "Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health," when a patient needs IV medications, she most likely already has an IV line or port inserted into a vein, eliminating the need for a new IV placement.

• 2

  Inspect the medication to be sure it is sterile and ready for use. The fluid should appear clear, without solid matter suspended in it. A slight yellow tinge to the medication is possible, but according to Parke-Davis, does not alter the effect of the drug.

• 3

  Begin the intravenous therapy with a loading dose of Dilantin. A loading dose is the initial dose of a medication, and may be larger in quantity than subsequent maintenance doses. Drugs.com states that a usual loading dose of Dilantin for adults is between 10 and 15 mg for each kg of body weight. A pediatric dose ranges from 15 to 20 mg for each kg of body weight.

• 4

  Inject the Dilantin into the IV at a rate of 50 mg per minute. Infants who need intravenous Dilantin therapy require a slow drip of 1 to 3 mg per minute.

• 5

  Administer a sterile saline solution through the same IV after the Dilantin dosing has been completed. The amount of saline injected may vary, according to the dosage of Dilantin that was administered. The salt water solution helps prevent irritation of the veins.

• 6

  Give the patient another Dilantin IV after 6 to 8 hours if his condition has not improved. Subsequent doses of IV Dilantin are generally 100 mg, according to Drugs.com. Usually, medical professionals try to transition the patient to an oral form of the drug at this time.

• 7

  Perform testing on the patient with an ECG machine and a blood pressure monitor to be sure that vital signs are stable.