Dilantin 50mg Capsule
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Dilantin 50mg Capsule is a prescription medicine used to treat and prevent epilepsy (seizures). It controls seizures by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Dilantin 50mg Capsule can be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. This may increase gradually until your condition is stable. This medicine may take several weeks to work but it is important to take it regularly to get the benefit. Do not stop taking it, even if you feel fine, unless your doctor advises you to. You may have more seizures, or your bipolar disorder may get worse.
The most common side effects of this medicine include skin involuntary eye movement, lack of coordination, slurred speech, mental confusion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and rash. Most side effects wear off, but if they bother you or do not go away, tell your doctor. There may be ways of preventing or reducing these effects.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, meningitis or depression or suicidal thoughts. Also let your healthcare team know about all other medications you are using as some may affect, or be affected by, this medicine, including contraceptive pills. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Dilantin 50mg Capsule can be taken if it is clearly needed but the dose may be adjusted. You should avoid driving or riding a bicycle if this medicine makes you drowsy or dizzy. You may need frequent blood tests to check how you are responding to this medicine.
Uses of Dilantin Capsule
Benefits of Dilantin Capsule
In Treatment and prevention of Epilepsy/Seizures
Dilantin 50mg Capsule is an anticonvulsant (or anti-epileptic) medicine that works by decreasing the nerve impulses which cause the seizures. By controlling the frequency of seizures, it will help you go about your daily activities with more confidence. It helps reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety.
This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.
This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.
Side effects of Dilantin Capsule
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Dilantin
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
- Coordination disorder
How to use Dilantin Capsule
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Dilantin 50mg Capsule may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Dilantin Capsule works
Dilantin 50mg Capsule is an antiepileptic medication. It controls seizures or fits by decreasing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Safety advice
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Dilantin 50mg Capsule.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Dilantin 50mg Capsule is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Dilantin 50mg Capsule is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Dilantin 50mg Capsule may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Dilantin 50mg Capsule should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Dilantin 50mg Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Dilantin 50mg Capsule should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Dilantin 50mg Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Dilantin Capsule?
If you miss a dose of Dilantin 50mg Capsule, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine
Quick tips
- Take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
- Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
- Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:
- Practice yoga every day.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/laptop.
- Take your medication on time.
- It may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
- It may increase blood sugar levels. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines to treat diabetes.
- It may cause swollen gum (gum hypertrophy), hence take care of oral or dental hygiene.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice sudden mood changes or develop suicidal thoughts.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Hydantoin Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
NEURO CNS
Action Class
Sodium channel modulators (AED)
Patient concerns
User feedback
Patients taking Dilantin 50mg Capsule
Once A Day
67%
Twice A Day
25%
Thrice A Day
8%
What are you using Dilantin Capsule for?
Epilepsy
100%
How much was the improvement?
Poor
50%
Excellent
33%
Average
17%
What were the side-effects while using Dilantin 50mg Capsule?
Sleepiness
100%
FAQs
For how long does Dilantin 50mg Capsule stay in your system?
On an average, Dilantin 50mg Capsule may stay in your system for 5-6 days. This duration varies from person to person. In some cases, it may stay for about 9-10 days.
What happens if I stop taking Dilantin 50mg Capsule?
Suddenly stopping Dilantin 50mg Capsule may cause non-stop seizures (called status epilepticus), which can endanger life. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor. If required, your doctor will slowly reduce the dose before stopping it completely.
What are the symptoms that occur if I take more than the recommended dose of Dilantin 50mg Capsule? Can I die from Dilantin 50mg Capsule overdose?
Overdose of Dilantin 50mg Capsule may cause jerky movements of the eyes (nystagmus), unclear speech, loss of balance, tremor, muscle stiffness or weakness, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, fainting, blurred vision, slow and shallow breathing and even coma. Dilantin 50mg Capsule overdose can cause very low blood pressure and respiratory problems. As a result of this, the patient can even die.
Who should avoid taking Dilantin 50mg Capsule?
You should not take Dilantin 50mg Capsule if you have liver disease, especially if you have a history of developing a liver problem due to Dilantin 50mg Capsule. Also, patients taking Delavirdine (a medicine used in the treatment of HIV infection) should not take Dilantin 50mg Capsule. Dilantin 50mg Capsule may reduce the effectiveness of Delavirdine on HIV and the virus may also become resistant to Delavirdine. It is advised that you inform your doctor if you have any existing heart disorder before you receive Dilantin 50mg Capsule.
Can I take Dilantin 50mg Capsule with ibuprofen?
Dilantin 50mg Capsule can be taken with ibuprofen. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
What are the effects of Dilantin 50mg Capsule on children?
The most common side effects related to Dilantin 50mg Capsule in children are jerky movements of the eyes (nystagmus) and overgrowth of the gums. In some children, Dilantin 50mg Capsule causes problems with thinking or behavior, mood change, slow or clumsy movements, or a loss of energy. Other side effects from high doses include unsteadiness in the feet and hands, sleepiness, and vomiting. These may be avoidable if the dose is increased slowly. These side effects quickly disappear when the dose is reduced.
Does Dilantin 50mg Capsule cause weight gain?
Dilantin 50mg Capsule has not been reported to cause weight gain. However, weight loss can occur with longer term use of a higher dose of Dilantin 50mg Capsule. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight gain after taking Dilantin 50mg Capsule.
Does Dilantin 50mg Capsule make you sleepy?
Dilantin 50mg Capsule can make you feel sleepy (sedation, somnolence, and drowsiness). Please consult your doctor if you feel very sleepy after taking Dilantin 50mg Capsule, especially during the first few weeks of treatment or following a dose increase. Talk to your doctor as you may be advised not to drive or use machines until it is established that your ability to perform such activities is not affected.
Does Dilantin 50mg Capsule affect birth control?
Dilantin 50mg Capsule does affect birth control. Dilantin 50mg Capsule can decrease the effect of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) which can make the contraceptive (birth control) effect unreliable. Please talk to your doctor if you are asked to take the two medicines together as you may need to use extra protection for birth control.
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Disclaimer:
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.References
- McNamara JO. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 591-93.
- Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 403-405.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1111-116.
- Phenytoin. Cedex, France: Famar Orleans; 2018. [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-S198. [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Phenytoin. New York, New York: Pfizer; 2009]. [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 22 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Phenytoin sodium [FDA Label]. Mumbai, India: Wockhardt Limited; 2007. [Accessed 28 Mar. 2023] (online) Available from:
- Phenytoin [Prescribing Information]. New York, NY: Parke Davis; 2009. [Accessed 31 May 2024] (online) Available from:
Marketer details
Name: Pfizer Ltd
Address: The Capital, 1802, 18th Floor , Plot No. C-70, ‘G’ Block , Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East , Mumbai – 400051.
Country of origin: India
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