Fosphenytoin injection

What is this medicine?

FOSPHENYTOIN (fos FEN i toyn) is used to control seizures in certain types of epilepsy. It can help to prevent seizures occurring during or after surgery.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a vein or muscle or for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• confusion

• dark yellow or brown urine

• difficulty breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath

• double vision or uncontrollable and rapid eye movement

• fever, sore throat

• headache

• loss of seizure control

• poor control of body movements or difficulty walking

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on skin

• vomiting

• worsening of mood, thoughts or actions of suicide or dying

• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• difficulty sleeping

• excessive hair growth on the face or body

• nausea

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• certain medicines used to treat HIV infection or AIDS that are given in combination with cobicistat

• delavirdine

• ibrutinib

• ranolazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• albendazole

• alcohol

• - aspirin and aspirin-like medicines

• certain medicines for blood pressure like nifedipine, nimodipine, and verapamil

• certain medicines for cancer

• certain medicines for cholesterol like atorvastatin, simvastatin, and fluvastatin

• certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole and itraconazole

• certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone and quinidine

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and topiramate

• certain medicines for stomach problems like cimetidine and omeprazole

• chloramphenicol

• cyclosporine

• diazoxide

• digoxin

• disulfiram

• doxycycline

• female hormones, like estrogens and birth control pills

• furosemide

• halothane

• isoniazid

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• medicines used to treat HIV infection or AIDS

• methylphenidate

• narcotic medicines for pain

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

• praziquantel

• reserpine

• rifampin

• St. John's Wort

• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

• sulfonamides like sulfamethoxazole or sulfasalazine

• supplements like folic acid or vitamin D

• theophylline

• ticlopidine

• tolbutamide

• warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an alcohol abuse problem

• Asian ancestry

• blood disorders or disease

• heart disease, low blood pressure

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member

• an unusual or allergic reaction to phenytoin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Your doctor or health care professional may schedule regular blood tests, because this medicine needs careful monitoring. Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. This increases the risk of seizures. Because your condition and the use of this medicine carry some risk, it is a good idea to carry an identification card, necklace or bracelet with details of your condition, medications and doctor or health care professional.

You may feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy, increase flushing and may cause rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can cause unusual growth of gum tissues. Visit your dentist regularly. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

The use of this medicine may increase the chance of suicidal thoughts or actions. Pay special attention to how you are responding while on this medicine. Any worsening of mood, or thoughts of suicide or dying should be reported to your health care professional right away.