What is this medicine?
FOSPHENYTOIN (fos FEN i toyn) is used to control seizures in certain types of epilepsy. It can help to prevent seizures occurring during or after surgery.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- confusion
- dark yellow or brown urine
- difficulty breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath
- double vision or uncontrollable and rapid eye movement
- fever, sore throat
- headache
- loss of seizure control
- poor control of body movements or difficulty walking
- redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on skin
- vomiting
- worsening of mood, thoughts or actions of suicide or dying
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- constipation
- difficulty sleeping
- excessive hair growth on the face or body
- nausea
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection into a vein or muscle or for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- antibiotics known as sulfonamides
- aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
- barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
- carbamazepine
- chloramphenicol
- chlordiazepoxide
- diazepam
- disulfiram
- ethosuximide
- female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
- fluoxetine
- halothane
- heart medicines such as digoxin or digitoxin
- corticosteroid hormones such as prednisone or cortisone
- doxycycline
- furosemide
- isoniazid
- medicines for diabetes
- medicines for mental depression, anxiety or other mood problems
- medicines for stomach problems like cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine
- medicines to control heart rhythm
- methsuximide
- methylphenidate
- phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
- phenylbutazone
- reserpine
- rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine
- theophylline
- valproic acid
- vitamin D
- warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to fosphenytoin or any ingredient in the formulation, phenytoin, or other hydantoins.
- Sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block, second- or third-degree AV block, Adams-Stokes syndrome.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Your doctor or health care professional may schedule regular blood tests, because this medicine needs careful monitoring. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. This increases the risk of seizures. Because your condition and the use of this medicine carry some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace or bracelet with details of your condition, medications and doctor or health care professional.
You may feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and may cause rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine can cause unusual growth of gum tissues. Visit your dentist regularly. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.
The use of this medicine may increase the chance of suicidal thoughts or actions. Pay special attention to how you are responding while on this medicine. Any worsening of mood, or thoughts of suicide or dying should be reported to your health care professional right away.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- an alcohol abuse problem
- Asian ancestry
- blood disorders or disease
- heart disease, low blood pressure
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
- an unusual or allergic reaction to phenytoin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
Sign up with Facebook
