What Is a Toxic Dilantin Level?

Dilantin is effective in treating patients with epilepsy and seizure-related disorders. Yet, as with any prescription medication, there are some side effects. Dilantin can cause an emergency medical situation if the active ingredients reach a toxic level in the blood.

Function

Dilantin, also called phenytoin, is an anticonvulsant medication dating back to 1938. It is used to treat epilepsy and other seizure-causing disorders in adults and children.

Loading Dose

A loading dose of dilantin can cause toxicity in some patients with liver and renal disease. RxList, an Internet drug index, notes that this procedure is only used in emergency situations for rapid results.

Potential Danger

The University of Iowa Health Center warns that if a dilantin suspension is allowed to "settleout," the bottom of the bottle can contain toxic levels of dilantin.

Identification

Slurred speech and double vision can occur when dilantin in the blood reaches toxic levels. Some other symptoms of a toxic dilantin level include nausea, mental confusion and liver damage.

Alcohol

Because dilantin is absorbed by the liver, consumption of alcohol has a definite effect on dilantin users. Chronic use can lower dilantin in the blood, while acute alcoholic intake can raise serum levels well within the toxic range.

Lethal Levels

According to RxList, the normal dosage for dilantin is 4-8 mg/ kilograms of body weight per day, which is about 10-20 msg/mL. An adult toxic dose is estimated to be 2 to 5 g.

References

• Dilantin Drug Information
• Anticonvulsant Drug Therapy
• Dilantin Toxicity

Resources

• Epilepsy.com