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Dilantin
Dilantin, a Drug consisting of Phenytoin Sodium compound, is an anticonvulsant or an antiepileptic drug and is basically used for the treatment of Epilepsy, which is caused due to some electric disturbances in the brain. The drug is being manufactured by Parke-Davis and comes in 30mg and 100mg tablets.
What are the major disorders for which Dilantin may be Used?
The drug is commonly used for the treatment of Epilepsy. Epilepsy is described as a disturbance in the electrochemical activity of the discharging cells of the brain produced by a variety of neurological disorders.
In Epilepsy the problem occurs in the central nervous system, specifically the brain. As everyone knows that brain works by sending electric signals, which control our body. The Brain controls each and every expression of body. Be it thought, emotion, impression, memory, and movement, etc. The Nerves act as the transmitting or communication lines from brain to other body parts and vice-versa.
This is a normal functioning, but the problem arises when there is an imbalance in the transmission of these signals. The body losses control at that time and the person may perform any kind of action that is unwanted and uncontrollable. This is termed as Seizure or fit. Seizures may of different kinds and depending upon the kind the medicine may be prescribed. They are basically characterized into two kinds i.e. primary generalized seizures and partial seizures. These two differ in only one point, and that is the point of origin of the seizure. This means that the area of brain from where it has started characterizes the kind of Seizure.
Primary generalized seizures: In these types of seizures, both parts of brain are involved collectively. Hereditary factors are important in many of these seizures.
Partial seizures: This is limited to only one part of brain and the problem in signals starts from a particular area of brain. Some are related to head injury, brain infection, stroke, or tumor, but in most cases the cause is unknown.
Upon understanding that what Epilepsy is, it is also important to note that epilepsy may be of different types depending upon the following:
- The type or types of seizures
- The age at which the seizures begin
- The causes of the seizures
- Whether the seizures are inherited
- The part of the brain involved
- Factors that provoke seizures
- How severe and how frequent the seizures are
- A pattern of seizures by time of day
- Certain patterns on the EEG, during seizures and between seizures
- Other disorders in addition to seizures
This problem may occur to any person belonging to any race, any sex, any age, etc. But, it is most commonly seen in males. And generally the problem arises at the child hood age itself.
There are number of medicines available for the treatment of Epilepsy. However, whether it can be cured or not can only be identified by a neurologist. If the problem has worsened, then the chances of its getting cured are very less. But, if identified at a proper stage, the frequency of seizures can definitely be reduced.
Besides Epilepsy it may also be used to treat depression, anxiety and other such problems.
How Dilantin works?
Dilantin consists of Phenytoin Sodium compound that functions by the process of stabilizing the way sodium rotate from one nerve to the other in the brain. This stabilization helps in the control of excessive and irregular transmission of the signals in the brain. Thereby making the nerve cells to become more relaxed and not excited into seizure or arrhythmic activity.
The medicine basically works at a place called motor cortex in the brain. The combination of sodium and phenytoin helps in the reduction of the energy that is being produced in the brain. Since the extra energy that is being produced in the brain is the cause of epilepsy, hence Dilantin has proved to be very useful in the treatment by controlling the levels of energy in the brain. When the energy transmission becomes normal, the stage of seizure doesn’t come. So, Dilantin is the most commonly used medicine to treat Epilepsy.
Is any prescription required to get Dilantin?
The drug MUST NOT be used without the consent of a doctor. Since the problem of epilepsy is a very serious and major problem, so a doctor, on the basis of the intensity and type of seizure, can only identify the suitability of a particular drug for an individual. As such the drug has been found very useful in Epilepsy, but it strictly advisable to consult a doctor, specializing in this filed.
Dosage of Dilantin?
At the start it is recommended to take 100mg of Dilantin two to three times in a day. And the dosage may be increased or decreased depending upon a person’s need. However, the dosage depends from individual to individual and can be identified by a medical practitioner of this field.
What is the minimum duration for which Dilantin should be taken?
As per the research done on this uptill now, there is no specific time period identified for the duration of Dilantin use. The duration of Dilantin intake may vary from individual to individual, depending upon the mental health. The intake of medicine should not be stopped without the advice of a Medical Practitioner.
Are there any side effects of Dilantin?
- Rashes on the skin
- Confused state of mind
- Lack of concentration
- Problem with speech
- Blood problems
- Restlessness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Change in sleeping pattern
Note: The intensity of the above may vary from person to person.
Under what circumstances should Dilantin not be used?
If a person has a family history of some disorder of brain, the doctor must be informed of the same, before the intake of this drug. -
The drug may cause problem to lady who is pregnant or is breast feeding. -
If a person has allergy with any specific drug. -
If a person has or had a liver problem, the drug may not be advisable. -
Persons with Diabetes must take this medicine under doctor’s guidance. -
It is not recommended for seizures due to hypoglycemic or other metabolic causes. Appropriate diagnostic procedures should be performed. -
The drug may not be advisable if a person has to undergo a surgery. -
If a person is taking Dilantin, any other drug or some alcoholic beverages should be taken with the consent of a doctor. -
The drug may interact with drugs, which may increase or decrease phenytoin serum levels.
Under which storage conditions Dilantin should be kept?
It should be stored at room temperature and the place where it is kept should not have excessive moisture and temperature. However, it should be kept in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Also, as per the general indications for any medicine, Dilantin should also be thrown away if it is outdated.
Major Drug (Dilantin and other Anticonvulsant or Antiepileptic) Manufacturers
Major Drug (Dilantin and other Anticonvulsant or Antiepileptic) Manufacturers
- Roche
- Pharmacia
- LAB
- Pfizer
- Sanofi-Synthelabo
- IVAX
- Chanelle
- Hoechst Marion Roussel
- Cephalon
- UCB Pharma
- GlaxoSmithKline
- AstraZeneca
- Parke-Davis
- Novartis
- Celltech
- Janssen-Cilag
Similar drugs
- Clonazepam (Roche)
- Convulex (Pharmacia)
- Emeside (LAB)
- Epanutin capsules (Pfizer)
- Epilim (Sanofi-Synthelabo)
- Epilim Chrono (Sanofi-Synthelabo)
- Epimaz (IVAX)
- Epival CR (Chanelle)
- Ethosuximide (LAB)
- Fosphenytoin (Parke-Davis)
- Frisium (Hoechst Marion Roussel)
- Gabitril (Cephalon)
- Keppra tablets (UCB Pharma)
- Lamictal (GlaxoSmithKline)
- Lamotrigine (GlaxoSmithKline)
- Levetiracetam tablets (UCB Pharma)
- Mysoline (AstraZeneca)
- Neurontin (Parke-Davis)
- Oxcarbazepine (Novartis)
- Primidone (AstraZeneca)
- Pro-Epanutin (Parke-Davis)
- Rivotril (Roche)
- Sabril Tablets (Hoechst Marion Roussel)
- Tegretol (Novartis)
- Tiagabine (Celltech)
- Topamax (Janssen-Cilag)
- Trileptal (Novartis)
- Zarontin (Parke-Davis)
From where can one get Dilantin?
The drug is available at much lower rate in Canada than in US, and the best way to get it is by logging on to http://www.canadiandrugswholesale.com
for online orders. One can order the medicine and pay through VISA, MasterCard or international money order.
Why to buy Dilantin drug from Canada?
It is cheaper to buy Dilantin from Canada because Canadian government regulates the prices of Dilantin and also because of the very common reason of exchange rate. Since, the Canadian dollar is cheaper as compared to the US Dollars, so one can buy more Dilantin from Canada, thereby saving a lot of money.
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