What Causes Dilantin Levels To Fluctuate?

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  1. What causes Dilantin levels to increase?
  2. What can affect Dilantin levels?
  3. What interferes with Dilantin absorption?
  4. How fast do Dilantin levels drop?
  5. What should my Dilantin level be?
  6. What is considered high phenytoin level?
  7. What are the symptoms of too much Dilantin?
  8. What is total phenytoin level?
  9. What should you avoid when taking phenytoin?
  10. What can decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin?

What causes Dilantin levels to increase?

Phenytoin toxicity can occur from an increase in the daily dose of phenytoin, changes in the formulations or brands as well as changes in the frequency of administration. It can also occur when patients are started on new medications that interact with the metabolism or binding capacity of phenytoin to plasma proteins.

What can affect Dilantin levels?

Alcohol use can increase your blood levels of phenytoin and may increase side effects. Daily alcohol use can decrease your blood levels of phenytoin, which can increase your risk of seizures. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using over-the-counter medicines such as cimetidine, omeprazole, St.

What interferes with Dilantin absorption?

Enriched wheat foods, such as pasta, whole wheat bread and cereals are also foods to be avoided while taking Dilantin, as they also contain folates that interfere with Dilantin absorption.

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How fast do Dilantin levels drop?

The plasma half-life in man after oral administration of phenytoin averages 22 hours, with a range of 7 to 42 hours. Steady-state therapeutic levels are achieved at least 7 to 10 days (5–7 half-lives) after initiation of therapy with recommended doses of 300 mg/day.

What should my Dilantin level be?

The therapeutic ranges for most adults have been established at 10.0-20.0 mcg/mL for total phenytoin (bound plus unbound) and 1.0-2.0 mcg/mL for free phenytoin (unbound only).

What is considered high phenytoin level?

Toxic phenytoin levels are defined as greater than 30 µg/mL. Lethal levels are defined as greater than 100 µg/mL. The reference range of free phenytoin is 1-2.5 µg/mL. In patients with renal failure associated with hypoalbuminemia, free phenytoin levels may be more accurate than total phenytoin levels.

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What are the symptoms of too much Dilantin?

- Coma. - Confusion. - Staggering gait or walk (early sign) - Unsteadiness, uncoordinated movements (early sign) - Involuntary, jerky, repeated movement of the eyeballs called nystagmus (early sign) - Seizures. - Tremor (uncontrollable, repeated shaking of the arms or legs) - Sleepiness.

What is total phenytoin level?

The therapeutic ranges for most adults have been established at 10.0-20.0 mcg/mL for total phenytoin (bound plus unbound) and 1.0-2.0 mcg/mL for free phenytoin (unbound only). This reference range for unbound phenytoin (free) was established based on an assumed 10% unbound drug fraction.

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What should you avoid when taking phenytoin?

Other Interactions Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur.

What can decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin?

Drugs that may decrease phenytoin levels and reduce effectiveness include carbamazepine, chronic alcohol abuse, reserpine, and sucralfate (Carafate).

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