Oral: 150–500 mg/day or 3–4 mg/kg/day in 1–2 divided doses; higher doses can be used in exceptional casesStatus epilepticus (IV): 10–18 mg/kg (with BP and ECG monitoring) then 100 mg every 6–8 hours according to levels
20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
<10           : Dose as in normal renal function
DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
HD                     :Not dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
HDF/high flux   :Dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function.
CAV/VVHD      :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Analgesics: enhanced effect with NSAIDs; metabolism of methadone accelerated
Anti-arrhythmics: increased concentration with amiodarone; concentration of disopyramide and mexiletine reduced
Antibacterials: level increased by clarithromycin, chloramphenicol, isoniazid, metronidazole, co-trimoxazole and trimethoprim (+ antifolate effect); concentration increased or decreased by ciprofloxacin; concentration of doxycycline and telithromycin reduced; concentration reduced by rifampicin
Anticoagulants: increased metabolism of coumarins (reduced effect but also reports of enhancement)
Antidepressants: MAOIs, SSRIs and tricyclics antagonise anticonvulsant effect, concentration increased by fluoxetine and fluvoxamine; concentration of mianserin, mirtazepine and paroxetine and possibly tricyclics reduced; concentration reduced by St John’s wort – avoid
Anti-epileptics: concentration of both drugs reduced with carbamazepine, concentration may also be increased by carbamazepine, ethosuximide, oxcarbazepine and topiramate; concentration of ethosuximide, active oxcarbazepine metabolite, primidone (but active metabolite increased), topiramate and valproate possibly reduced; concentration of lamotrigine, tiagabine and zonisamide reduced; primidone and valproate may alter concentration; concentration reduced by vigabatrin
Antifungals: concentration of ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole and possibly caspofungin reduced – avoid with itraconazole, increase voriconazole dose and possibly caspofungin; levels increased by fluconazole, miconazole and voriconazole
Antimalarials: antagonise anticonvulsant effect; increased antifolate effect with pyrimethamine
Antipsychotics: antagonise anticonvulsant effect; possibly reduced aripiprazole concentration – increase aripiprazole dose; metabolism of clozapine, quetiapine and sertindole increased
Calcium-channel blockers: levels increased by diltiazem; concentration of diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nisoldipine and verapamil and possibly dihydropyridines, nicardipine and nifedipine reduced
10 to 20     : mg/L (40–80 micromol/L)Total phenytoin levels must be adjusted for hypoalbuminaemia and uraemia (levels of 5–12 mcg/mL may be enough)Decreased protein binding and volume of distribution in renal failureFree fraction of phenytoin is increased in uraemia to approximately 0.2Request free phenytoin serum levels, if possibleLoading dose 15 mg/kg IV or oral, then 5 mg/kg/day. Steady state reached in 3–5 days if loading dose givenIncrease dose gradually (25–50 mg/day at weekly intervals); demonstrates saturation kineticsPhenytoin absorption is markedly reduced by concurrent nasogastric enteral nutrition administration. Avoid concomitant administration with divalent cationsMay cause folate deficiency A useful equation: To correct a phenytoin level for low albumin: from Winters ME. Basic Clin Pharmacokinet, 3rd ed. Philadelphia PA. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1994Cnormal Cobserved{(0.48) × (1 0.1) × albumin} + 0.1 4.4(g/dl)with methotrexate; reduced phenytoin absorption; concentration of busulfan, etoposide and imatinib reduced – avoid with imatinibDisulfiram: levels of phenytoin increased
Diuretics: concentration of eplerenone reduced – avoid concomitant use; increased risk of osteomalacia with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; antagonises effect of furosemideOestrogens and progestogens: metabolism increased (reduced contraceptive effect)Sulfinpyrazone: concentration increased by sulfinpyrazoneTheophylline: concentration of both drugs reduced
Ulcer-healing drugs: metabolism inhibited by cimetidine; absorption reduced by sucralfate; enhanced effect with esomeprazole and omeprazole
ADMINISTRATION
Reconstition
–
Route
IV, oral
Rate of Administration
IV infusion
and bolus: not greater than 50 mg/minute
Comments
Infusion: dilute in 50–100 mL sodium chloride 0.9%; final concentration not exceeding 10 mg/mLGive by slow IV injection into large vein followed by sodium chloride 0.9% flush,