You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to phenytoin.
Uses:
Capsule, Long Acting Capsule, Chewable Tablet, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take this medicine with food if it upsets your stomach. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not open, crush, or chew it.
The chewable tablet may be chewed, swallowed whole, or crushed before swallowing.
Shake the oral liquid before each use. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
If you are receiving tube feedings, you should take phenytoin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after a feeding.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using Tagamet®, disulfiram (Antabuse®), Prozac®, Advil® or Motrin®, diabetes medicine (oral medicine such as Amaryl®, Glipizide®, Glucotrol®, Glucophage®, Glyburide®), or other seizure medicine (such as Depakote®, Klonopin®, Tegretol®).
Birth control pills may not work while you are using phenytoin. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control such as condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
If you are using an antacid (Maalox® or Mylanta®) take it least 1 hour after you take phenytoin.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or a blood disorder.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
This medicine may make you drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
