Advice to patients (24) Phenytoin tablets and capsules
- This medicine is often used to help control fits and seizures, and is sometimes used to treat pain.
- It is important to take the medicine regularly. This helps to keep the right amount in the body for best control of symptoms.
- The tablets/capsules should be washed down with plenty of fluid. Taking them with or after food can help avoid any stomach upset.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping may make your symptoms come back or get worse.
- Like all medicines phenytoin can have some unwanted effects. Occasionally people find their gums become red and thickened or more body hair grows - tell your doctor if this happens. If you have unusual bruising, bleeding, mouth ulcers, sore throat, fever or a skin rash you should contact your doctor straight away.
- Problems can occur if phenytoin is taken with some other medicines. Are you taking any other prescribed medicines or medicines you have bought?
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by
pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended
as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed
medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important
points.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
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