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Mesantoin, |mephenytoin

mephenytoin

Generic Name: mephenytoin (meh FEN i toyn)
Brand Names: Mesantoin

What is mephenytoin?

Mephenytoin is a drug used to control seizures. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

Mephenytoin is usually reserved for seizure conditions that have not responded to other less toxic antiseizure medicines.

Mephenytoin is not commercially available in the United States.

Mephenytoin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about mephenytoin?

Mephenytoin is not commercially available in the United States.

Do not change the brand, generic formulation, or dosage of this medication without first talking to your doctor.

Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

Who should not take mephenytoin?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may not be able to take mephenytoin, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.

Mephenytoin may increase blood sugar. If you are a diabetic and are taking mephenytoin, watch for changes in your blood sugar levels that may be caused by this medication.

How should I take mephenytoin?

Take mephenytoin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Do not change the brand name, generic formulation, or dosage of mephenytoin that you are taking without first talking to your doctor.

Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

Do not take any tablet that is discolored.

Store this medication at room temperature away from light and moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a mephenytoin overdose include back-and-forth eye movements, slurred speech, stumbling or staggering walk, imbalance, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, low blood pressure, and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking mephenytoin?

Mephenytoin side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• hallucinations;

• slurred speech or staggering walk;

• a rash;

• changes in vision;

• agitation;

• yellow skin or eyes (jaundice);

• easy bruising or bleeding; or

• swollen or tender gums.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take mephenytoin and talk to your doctor if you experience

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea;

• mild dizziness or drowsiness;

• tender or swollen glands;

• headache;

• muscle twitches;

• increased facial hair;

• swelling of the breasts; or

• insomnia.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect mephenytoin?

The following drugs can increase the level of mephenytoin in your blood and cause dangerous side effects:

• alcohol, when drunk occasionally;

• other seizure medicines such as ethosuximide (Zarontin), methsuximide (Celontin Kapseals), and phensuximide (Milontin Kapseals);

• the stomach medicines cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR), and famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC);

• the anxiety and insomnia medicines chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax) and diazepam (Valium);

• estrogens such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin, PMB, Premphase, Prempro), estradiol (Estrace), esterified estrogens (Estratab, Estratest, Menest, estropipate (Ogen), and estrogen patches (Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara);

• the heart medicine amiodarone (Cordarone);

• salicylates such as aspirin (ASA), magnesium salicylate (Magan), choline salicylate (Arthropan), and choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate);

• anti-infective medicines such as isoniazid (INH) and sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim);

• methylphenidate (Ritalin);

• trazodone (Desyrel); and

• disulfiram (Antabuse)

Other drugs may decrease the amount of mephenytoin in your blood. This can decrease the effects of mephenytoin and result in seizures. The following drugs may have this effect:

• alcohol, when drunk chronically (regularly);

• the seizure medicine carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• the heart medicine reserpine (Serpasil);

• the stomach medicine sucralfate (Carafate); and

• the psychiatric medicine molindone (Moban).

Other seizure medicines may interact unpredictably with mephenytoin and either increase or decrease its effects. These drugs include valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton). It may be necessary to adjust your mephenytoin dosage.

Mephenytoin may also decrease the activity of other medicines including

• steroid medicines, such as prednisone (Deltasone), hydrocortisone (Cortef), betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others;

• the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin);

• the heart medicine quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex, others);

• birth control pills and estrogens such as Premarin, Ogen, Estratab, Menest, Estratest, Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara, and others;

• the anti-infective medicines rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin) and doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, Doxy, Monodox, others);

• the diuretic (water pill) furosemide (Lasix); and

• the asthma medicine theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theo-Bid, Theolair, others).

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with mephenytoin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about mephenytoin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Mephenytoin is available with a prescription under the brand name Mesantoin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medicine, especially if it is new to you.

• Mesantoin 100 mg--speckled, pale-pink, round, scored tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.