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Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Sat, 01/15/2011 - 00:45
Topic: Medication Issues
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 Joanne J on Sun, 2011-01-23 - 01:25

Hi T,                                                                                                                                                                   Yes,  it was a Kaiser neurologist who told me that the new Dilantin was really a generic and less similar to the old Dilantin than the generic phenytoin made by Taro that Kaiser prescribes.   Kaiser does not have an epilepsy center as far as I know but they have epileptologists in Redwood City and Santa Clara. John at EFA said that their epileptologists are very good. Another option would be UCSF's Epilepsy Center in San Francisco which is closer but would cost me $400-$800 for the first visit!  I live in Oakland and  have no sense of direction due to a poor visual memory, probably associated with deficits in that part of my brain. Consequently I have phobias and panic disordor about driving and even around riding in a car or bus. I am working on coping with my anxiety, especially around taking public transit.  Did you have extra seizures in the month after switching to the new Dilantin?  Menopause can change things, hopefully for the better.  My migraines went away when I went through menopause. Hopefully research will come up with better medications and other treatment options for epilepsy soon.    

 Joanne

 

Hi T,                                                                                                                                                                   Yes,  it was a Kaiser neurologist who told me that the new Dilantin was really a generic and less similar to the old Dilantin than the generic phenytoin made by Taro that Kaiser prescribes.   Kaiser does not have an epilepsy center as far as I know but they have epileptologists in Redwood City and Santa Clara. John at EFA said that their epileptologists are very good. Another option would be UCSF's Epilepsy Center in San Francisco which is closer but would cost me $400-$800 for the first visit!  I live in Oakland and  have no sense of direction due to a poor visual memory, probably associated with deficits in that part of my brain. Consequently I have phobias and panic disordor about driving and even around riding in a car or bus. I am working on coping with my anxiety, especially around taking public transit.  Did you have extra seizures in the month after switching to the new Dilantin?  Menopause can change things, hopefully for the better.  My migraines went away when I went through menopause. Hopefully research will come up with better medications and other treatment options for epilepsy soon.    

 Joanne

 

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by tcameron on Mon, 2011-01-24 - 00:21

Hi Joanne,

No extra seizures following new Dilantin.    You need to get an Appt. for a G.P. or an OB/Gyn to get something for your Osteoporosis ASAP!!  

I'm sure EFNC can help you locate an epielptologist to fit your budget and location much better than I can.  Some of these epilepsy centers are very good.  UCSF and Stanford will take regular and Medicare, but not Kaiser insurance.  Looked up the Kaiser in Santa Clara, and Oakland.  Neither have epilepsy centers that I could find.  I found a Dr. Austin, at one of the Kaisers.  (Either Redwood City or Sacramento.)  Big difference, I know, but that's Kaiser for you.  Some of the best doctors at some of the worst locations.

Take care,  T

 

 

Hi Joanne,

No extra seizures following new Dilantin.    You need to get an Appt. for a G.P. or an OB/Gyn to get something for your Osteoporosis ASAP!!  

I'm sure EFNC can help you locate an epielptologist to fit your budget and location much better than I can.  Some of these epilepsy centers are very good.  UCSF and Stanford will take regular and Medicare, but not Kaiser insurance.  Looked up the Kaiser in Santa Clara, and Oakland.  Neither have epilepsy centers that I could find.  I found a Dr. Austin, at one of the Kaisers.  (Either Redwood City or Sacramento.)  Big difference, I know, but that's Kaiser for you.  Some of the best doctors at some of the worst locations.

Take care,  T

 

 

Re: Dilantin 30 Mg capsules

Submitted by Joanne J on Mon, 2011-01-24 - 00:53
                                                                                                                                                                                   Hi  T ,                                                                                                                                                                                       Thanks again.  I will call Bill Stack at EFA and Kaiser Redwood City Neurology Dept on Tuesday.  I need to have my concerns addressed soon so I can focus on other aspects of my health,  including osteoporosis. I'm also worried about the possibility of an allergic reaction to the new Dilantin. I had a reaction to amoxicillin  in 2004 and the new Dilantin has the same red dye.  Kaiser has some excellent doctors but the system can be difficult to navigate and the wait for an appointment in neurology can be long.  I have been on a waiting list to make a neurology appt  for one month now. Hope you are doing well .                                                                                                                  Joanne

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