INTRODUCTION
PHENYKEM 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. PHENYKEM 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.
Always take PHENYKEM exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine is dangerous if taken more than prescribed. If you accidentally take too much, contact your doctor at once or go to the nearest hospital. Do not drive or operate any machinery while taking this medicine, it may make you feel dizzy and confusion and problems with your vision. Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine. Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease, heart disease, or pancreas problems. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
USES OF PHENYKEM
- Treat and prevent epilepsy
HOW PHENYKEM WORKS
PHENYKEM 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
Always take PHENYKEM exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the medicine whole with plenty of water.
SIDE EFFECTS OF PHENYKEM
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, 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). These may be signs of the condition known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- 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
PHENYKEM is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
BREASTFEEDING
PHENYKEM 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
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine.
KIDNEY
PHENYKEM should be taken with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
LIVER
PHENYKEM 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
PHENYKEM should be taken with caution in patients with lung disease. Consult your doctor for advice.
OTHERS
Do not take this medicine, if you:
- suffer from or have suffered in the past from any of the conditions like porphyria (an inherited disease that affects haemoglobin biosynthesis)
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)
- some of the hormone replacement therapy (oestrogens), oral contraceptives (the birth control pill)
- 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)
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 PHENYKEM
Can PHENYKEM be used in pregnant women?
No. It is not recommended for use in the pregnant women. Consult your doctor before taking.
Is PHENYKEM 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. Milpharm Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised on 10/2018] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4225.pdf
5. Accord, Barnstaple, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC); [Revised on 01/2020] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5046.pdf
6. Pfizer Inc, U.S. Food & Drug Administration; [Revised on 01/2009] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/084349s060lbl.pdf
7. Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Health Products Regulatory Authority, [Revised on 01/2009] [Accessed 12 Oct 2020] https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/77482cd9-7433-4bc2-bd29-77811650893c.pdf
USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- EEG
- MRI scan
- CT scan
PRODUCT DETAILS
ALTERNATE BRANDS
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