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INTRODUCTION
EPSOLIN contains phenytoin, an antiepileptic drug which can be used in the treatment of epilepsy. It can be used to control a variety of epileptic conditions (tonic-clonic seizures and partial seizures), to control or prevent seizures during or after brain surgery or severe head injury. Phenytoin can be used to treat the trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain).
Epilepsy is a common chronic disorder that can happen when the electrical signals and chemicals are not working properly in brain cells. During a seizure, brain cells are forced to work much more rapidly than normal. EPSOLIN helps prevent brain cells from working so fast and thus the cells are prevented from all firing together thus stopping seizures when they are just beginning.
EPSOLIN given by a doctor or nurse. It may be given as an injection slowly into muscle or a large vein. It may be diluted and given as a drip or infusion into the one of your large veins (intravenously). Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, since this medicine may affect the breakdown of the sugar, glucose, and may prevent the release of the hormone, insulin which could lead to high blood sugar.
USES OF EPSOLIN
- Treat and prevent epilepsy
HOW EPSOLIN WORKS
EPSOLIN helps prevent brain cells from working so fast and thus the cells are prevented from all firing together thus stopping seizures when they are just beginning.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
EPSOLIN given by a doctor or nurse. It may be given as an injection slowly into muscle or a large vein. It may be diluted and given as a drip or infusion into the one of your large veins (intravenously).
SIDE EFFECTS OF EPSOLIN
SERIOUS
- Sudden wheezing, difficult breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching
- bruising, fever and you are looking pale or you have a severe sore throat. These may be first signs of an abnormality of the blood, include decreases in the number of red cells, white cells or platelets
- rash, fever, swollen glands, increase in type of white blood cell (eosinophilia), and inflammation of internal organs (liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and large intestine)
RARE
- life-threatening skin rashes that cause blistering, (this can also affect the mouth and tongue)
- confusion or have severe mental illness, this may be a sign that you have high amounts of phenytoin in your blood
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Skin rash:
Avoid bath in hot water because hot water can irritate the skin. Moisturizers can be used regular basis to soothe and hydrate the affected area.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
EPSOLIN is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
BREASTFEEDING
EPSOLIN is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machinery while taking this medicine, it may make you feel dizzy and confusion and problems with your vision.
ALCOHOL
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking this medicine.
KIDNEY
EPSOLIN should be taken with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
LIVER
EPSOLIN should be taken with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
ALLERGY
Do not take if you are allergic to this medicine.
LUNGS
EPSOLIN should be taken with caution in patients with lung disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
INTERACTIONS
Talk to your doctor if you are taking:
- medicines used for tuberculosis and other infections (e.g. chloramphenicol, isoniazid, rifampicin, sulfonamides, sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, sulfaphenazole, sulfisoxazole, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin)
- medicines used for stomach ulcers (e.g. omeprazole, sucralfate, the medicines known as H2 antagonists including cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and some antacids)
- medicines used for the asthma and bronchitis (e.g. theophylline)
- medicines used for pain and inflammation (e.g. phenylbutazone, salicylates including, aspirin and steroids)
- medicines used for depression and psychiatric disorders
- medicines used for diabetes (e.g. tolbutamide)
- medicines used for the organ and tissue transplants, to prevent rejection (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
- medicines used for cancer (antineoplastic agents, e.g. teniposide and fluorouracil, capecitabine, bleomycin, carboplatin, cisplatin, doxorubicin, methotrexate)
- some hormone replacement therapies (oestrogens), oral contraceptives
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Phenytoin sodium |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Antiepileptic |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Epilepsy |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Capsule, Injection, Suspension, Syrup |
MORE INFORMATION
Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.
FAQs ABOUT EPSOLIN
Can EPSOLIN be used in pregnant women?
No. It is not recommended for use in the pregnant women. Consult your doctor before taking.
Is EPSOLIN a barbiturate?
It is an antiepileptic drug which is related to barbiturates in chemical structure but has a five-membered ring.
REFERENCES
1. KD. Tripathi. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Chapter – 30, Antiepileptic drugs, Page – 413.
2. E H Reynolds, D Chadwick, A W Galbraith, One drug (phenytoin) in the treatment of epilepsy, [Revised on 05/1976] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/57334/
3. Marvin M. Goldenberg, Overview of Drugs Used for Epilepsy and Seizures, [Revised on 07/2010] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2912003/
4. Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised on 12/2018] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4326.pdf
5. Pfizer Inc., U.S. Food & Drug Administration; [Revised on 10/2011] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/010151s036lbl.pdf
USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- EEG
- MRI scan
- CT scan
PRODUCT DETAILS
ALTERNATE BRANDS
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