Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

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Has anyone else changed from the older Dilantin Kapseals ( white with band in middle) to the newer Dilantin capsules, either the 100 mg or 30 mg capsule? Did you have any side effects or increase in seizures after the change? Did you take precautions like avoiding driving after the switch, frequent blood monitoring? If so, for how long? I have taken Dilantin for 20 years. It was prescribed after I had a focal seizure. I also had a grand mal seizure as a child and untreated seizures as an infant. When the 100 mg Kapseals were no longer available I switched to the 30 mg Kapseals and have been taking seven each night. Now those are no longer available and I must switch to the newer 30 mg capsule ( half pink, half white) soon. I am very scared because I read that it might be absorbed differently causing seizures. I have not had a seizure since starting Dilantin and I drive everyday. I would love to hear from others what their experience has been, both good and bad. Thank you.

Comments

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by tcameron on Mon, 2011-01-17 - 16:10

Hi Joanne,

Only take brand-name Dilantin Kapseals; not generic phenytoin. 30 mg Dilantin has a pink stripe around center of capsule. You'll need your neurologist to write "No Substitutions" on your prescription or you'll get the generic......not good. Every brain is different, so other people will tell you thier experiences. I've been taking Dilantin (only brand name) since 1976. I find the 30 mg Dilantin to be very helpful. Dilantin (and many other AED's) cause decrease in bone density. You might need a scan to see how your bones are doing. If your bone density reduces itself to the state of Osteopenia, it might be necessary to take one of those anti-osteoporosis drugs to keep yourself from getting osteoporosis. (Consult with both G.P. and neurologist.)

Dilantin 400 mg/day (4 100 mg capsules) caused serious side effects. 350 mg/day didn't help control seizures. Now I'm taking 390 mg/day. Still experience seizures, but I'm taking 390 mg/day...the highest dose I can take without side effects. (Currently taking 4 AED's. Dilantin has been the mainstay all these years.) I'm being seen by an epileptologist, doing what I can, but still experience seizures.

The worst side effects I've experienced from Dilantin are double vision and loss of balance...when on 400 mg/day. Dilantin is one of the oldest, tried and true AED's, that cause the least side effects. (also, one of the least expensive.) If you can tolerate it; by all means take it!!!

Hi Joanne,

Only take brand-name Dilantin Kapseals; not generic phenytoin. 30 mg Dilantin has a pink stripe around center of capsule. You'll need your neurologist to write "No Substitutions" on your prescription or you'll get the generic......not good. Every brain is different, so other people will tell you thier experiences. I've been taking Dilantin (only brand name) since 1976. I find the 30 mg Dilantin to be very helpful. Dilantin (and many other AED's) cause decrease in bone density. You might need a scan to see how your bones are doing. If your bone density reduces itself to the state of Osteopenia, it might be necessary to take one of those anti-osteoporosis drugs to keep yourself from getting osteoporosis. (Consult with both G.P. and neurologist.)

Dilantin 400 mg/day (4 100 mg capsules) caused serious side effects. 350 mg/day didn't help control seizures. Now I'm taking 390 mg/day. Still experience seizures, but I'm taking 390 mg/day...the highest dose I can take without side effects. (Currently taking 4 AED's. Dilantin has been the mainstay all these years.) I'm being seen by an epileptologist, doing what I can, but still experience seizures.

The worst side effects I've experienced from Dilantin are double vision and loss of balance...when on 400 mg/day. Dilantin is one of the oldest, tried and true AED's, that cause the least side effects. (also, one of the least expensive.) If you can tolerate it; by all means take it!!!

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by Joanne J on Mon, 2011-01-17 - 17:21

Hi tcameron, Thank you for your reply and the information. Is the Dilantin 30 mg Kapseal ( white capsule with pink stripe) still available in your area? I have had a very difficult time locating it and have called pharmacies all over northern California! Had to hire an errand service to pick it up for me. Phizer told me the last expiration date for the Kapseals is at the end of this month. I have heard that switching to the newer Dilantin 30 mg capsule( half pink, half white) is like switching to a generic in terms of possible changes in blood levals. When I first started taking Dilantin again in 1990 I was prescribed 300 mg /day. ( I was also on it from age 8 years to age 13 years, from the years 1957-1962 and then taken off all meds). On the morning of the 5th day, I was unable to sit, stand , or walk and had to crawl to the telephone which took 45 minutes. My blood leval was only 15 that afternoon when I finally was able to drive to the lab but it was clear that 300 mg was too much for me. Since then I have taken 200mg-210 mg /day. I do have osteoporosis but I am reluctant to take any more medications.

Hi tcameron,                                                                                                                                                          Thank you for your reply and the information.  Is the Dilantin 30 mg Kapseal ( white capsule with pink stripe) still available in your area?  I have had a very difficult time locating it and have called pharmacies all over northern California! Had to hire an errand service to pick it up for me.  Phizer told me the last expiration date for the Kapseals is at the end of this month.  I have heard that switching to the newer Dilantin 30 mg capsule( half pink, half white) is like switching to a generic in terms of possible changes in blood levals. When I first started taking Dilantin again in 1990 I was prescribed 300 mg /day. ( I was also on it from age 8 years to age 13 years, from the years 1957-1962 and then taken off all meds). On the morning of the 5th day, I was unable to sit, stand , or walk and had to crawl to the telephone which took 45 minutes. My blood leval was only 15 that afternoon when I finally was able to drive to the lab but it was clear that 300 mg was too much for me. Since then I have taken 200mg-210 mg /day. I do have osteoporosis but I am reluctant to take any more medications.       

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by tcameron on Tue, 2011-01-18 - 18:11

Hi Joanne,

My mistake: The capsules are half pink/half white. However, they are EXACTLY the same. The brand name is still Dilantin Kapseals. Sorry about your experience. If you're having trouble with your Dilantin, I'll suspect it's been sustituted for phenytoin. Phenytoin is the generic form of Dilantin...the exact same drug. However, the binding agent isn't the same; which can cause extremely different medication level results. Contact your neurologist and pharmacist. They will tell you that the pink/white 30 mg Dilantin Kapseals are exactly the same as the pink stripe.

Perhaps you don't need as much Dilantin as you did when you were younger. I've heard that as the body ages, it needs less than it used to. It's frightening, but you'll need to experiment with your doctor in order to get the medication level you need to keep yourself seizure free. Make up a written list of questions to ask your neurologist at your next visit. That way, your doctor can see your questions, write the answers, you won't have to worry about forgetting a question, and his answers will be available to look up again.

Get yourself some anti osteoporosis meds NOW!!! They really do reverse bone loss. I've taken the generic for Fosamax (Aldronate Sodium), but others are available. You must be able to sit or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking it, or it can cause an ulcer. Yes, I've heard about the femoral fracture danger, but it's extremely rare, and might not happen with other anti osteoporosis meds. I have uncontrolled drop attacks, so I could fracture my spine (or any other bone) with just one fall. This is imperative for your safety; especially since you have epilepsy!!!

Good luck with your medication,

T

Hi Joanne,

My mistake: The capsules are half pink/half white. However, they are EXACTLY the same. The brand name is still Dilantin Kapseals. Sorry about your experience. If you're having trouble with your Dilantin, I'll suspect it's been sustituted for phenytoin. Phenytoin is the generic form of Dilantin...the exact same drug. However, the binding agent isn't the same; which can cause extremely different medication level results. Contact your neurologist and pharmacist. They will tell you that the pink/white 30 mg Dilantin Kapseals are exactly the same as the pink stripe.

Perhaps you don't need as much Dilantin as you did when you were younger. I've heard that as the body ages, it needs less than it used to. It's frightening, but you'll need to experiment with your doctor in order to get the medication level you need to keep yourself seizure free. Make up a written list of questions to ask your neurologist at your next visit. That way, your doctor can see your questions, write the answers, you won't have to worry about forgetting a question, and his answers will be available to look up again.

Get yourself some anti osteoporosis meds NOW!!! They really do reverse bone loss. I've taken the generic for Fosamax (Aldronate Sodium), but others are available. You must be able to sit or stand for at least 30 minutes after taking it, or it can cause an ulcer. Yes, I've heard about the femoral fracture danger, but it's extremely rare, and might not happen with other anti osteoporosis meds. I have uncontrolled drop attacks, so I could fracture my spine (or any other bone) with just one fall. This is imperative for your safety; especially since you have epilepsy!!!

Good luck with your medication,

T

Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Comments

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by tcameron on Mon, 2011-01-17 - 16:10

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by Joanne J on Mon, 2011-01-17 - 17:21

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by tcameron on Tue, 2011-01-18 - 18:11

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