Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog

DRUGS FOR PARTIAL SEIZURES AND TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURES: REACTIONS TO PHENYTOIN (DILANTIN) AND  BARBITURATE DRUGS Phenytoin, a generic (non-brand) name for Dilantin, an excellent anticonvulsant that has been used for many years, is particularly effective for partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Phenytoin also produces side effects, allergic and dose-related.Allergic reactionsAs with phenobarbital, a skin rash may be the first sign of an allergic reaction to phenytoin. A child who develops a skin rash during the first two to three weeks after starting phenytoin should be seen by his physician immediately. Other, more severe “allergic” reactions to phenytoin may affect the liver or the bone marrow, although these reactions are rare.Mephobarbital (Mebaral)Mephobarbital is said to cause less hyperactivity than phenobarbital, but its effectiveness as an anticonvulsant and its effects on learning have been less well studied.Primidone (Mysoline)Primidone is an effective anticonvulsant that is metabolized by the body into phenobarbital. Although the drug has not been well studied in children, hyperactivity and behavior problems have been observed. As with phenobarbital, a child on primidone should be carefully monitored for learning and behavior problems. Primidone must be started at a low dose and increased slowly over several weeks to avoid major problems with sedation and personality change.*119\208\8*

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