Details

Fosphenytoin is an anticonvulsant that works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Fosphenytoin is used to prevent or control seizures. Fosphenytoin is used only for a short time when other forms of phenytoin cannot be given. To make sure fosphenytoin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease kidney disease liver disease low blood pressure porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system) diabetes or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. Fosphenytoin may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby.

Typical Uses

Fosphenytoin is used to treat patients with epilepsy (seizure disorder) who go into status epilepticus (SE). With SE, a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or occurs more than once within five minutes. This drug is also used to treat seizures that occur during neurosurgery (surgery on the brain or spinal cord).

Side Effects

Common fosphenytoin side effects may include irregular heart rhythm, feeling short of breath a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) low potassium-confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling signs of inflammation in your body-swollen glands, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, chest pain, new or worsening cough with fever or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Fosphenytoin+abiraterone- Fosphenytoin can significantly reduce the blood levels of abiraterone, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Fosphenytoin+apixaban- Fosphenytoin can significantly reduce the blood levels of apixaban, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Fosphenytoin+bosutinib- Fosphenytoin can significantly reduce the blood levels of bosutinib, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Fosphenytoin+ceritinib- Fosphenytoin may significantly reduce the blood levels of ceritinib, which may make the medication less effective in treating your cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Fosphenytoin belongs to the class of drugs known as anticonvulsants. It acts by suppressing the excessive excitation in the brain and reduces the occurrence of fits (seizures).

Pregnancy Category : D