Phenytoin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)
Brand names: Dilantin, Phenytoin Sodium, Phenytek, Phenytoin Sodium, Extended Release, Di-Phen
Phenytoin has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 112 reviews on Drugs.com. 67% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Phenytoin
- LJWee...
- August 14, 2017
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I started dilantin in 1974. About 25 years of taking it has given me peripheral neuropathy. No Dr in all those years told me that it might do this to me. I am changing over to Keppra but the damage is done. My balance is off and for PAIN I take lyrica. If dilantin works for that's great, but we should be informed that neuropathy might happen."
- Rhodesy
- March 14, 2008
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I am 31 years old and have been taking Dilantin since I was 14 years old. It works very well for me, and the only time I ever had any complications is when I have gone more than 1 day without taking it. I suggest a days-of-the-week pill holder to anybody that has a problem remembering to take their meds."
Frequently asked questions
- Calli...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- August 20, 2016
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "Took Dilantin for several years, since the 1980's. Now it's apparent I have a secondary disability of Osteoporosis after seeing a endocrinologist and having a bone density test done. My doctor says it is likely due to the regular use of epileptic medicines with Dilantin being the most likely source."
- cindy...
- November 10, 2010
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I was put on Dilantin a month ago after having a 30 minute Grand-mal seizure. I haven't had another seizure yet but can't stand the side effects. I'm so dizzy and light headed. I have a hard time walking and keeping my balance. I also am having a hard time concentrating and remembering things."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Kenny...
- August 29, 2011
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I have had grand mal seizures since I was 9 years old and was involved in a car accident. I have taken Dilantin for over 50 years, with good results. It has controlled my seizures pretty well until recently. I was diagnosed with COPD 2 years ago, and in that time, I have been having seizures every 3-6 months. My doctor switched me to Keppra 6 months ago, and in that time, I have had at least 1 seizure a month. I think it's time to switch back to what works."
- dlaman
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- February 21, 2016
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I began having focal seizures in 2011, not knowing what was going on, I wasn't diagnosed until 2013 after my first Grand Mal. Began taking Dilantin 500 mg per day. Seizures were much better, but my memory is worse, and I have no libido and I am way more easily agitated. If I miss a dose I will generally have a focal seizure. Doctor wants to add Keppra, but I am a little scared because of the depression possibility. I have withdrawn from friends a little already and do not need to add to that. Plus when I took it last week I was in bed exhausted at 7:30 for no apparent reason."
- twitc...
- October 12, 2011
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "After about 8 days of being on Dilantin, I had a horrible allergic reaction. I woke up at like 4:30 with unbearably itchy hives that literally covered my whole body....face, shoulders, chest, stomach, back, buttocks & legs....even on the backs of my hands and feet, with a few spots on the palm of my hand. It sucked, needless to say. It also made me really tired all day, even though I'd take it at night. I'm now starting on KEPPRA. Hope it works."
- Fit...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- January 11, 2021
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I have been on 330 mgs of Dilantin since 1986 with very few side effects. Swollen gums sometimes but seems to have improved over the years after my dose rate was settled on. Also do have a lever function test taken every 6 months but no major issues there. Over all never had any seizures in 1990."
- Kim
- Taken for 10 years or more
- May 5, 2020
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I used to have seizures several times a day I was glad that I went on it. If I have side effects I have not noticed them. My husband also has seizures his medication makes him sleepy, dizzy, and he has chills. He has asked about my medication several times and they keep telling him they are going to discontinue it."
- onelu...
- July 10, 2014
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I have been on Dilantin for 20 yrs it has helped me from having seizure when I remembered to take it but the past 5 years I have taken it everyday like I'm suppose to I take 300mg everyday in the morning at the same time. There has been one time that I had a seizure while taking my medicine everyday it happen at night and I only know this because I woke my wife up in the middle of it . I do have problems remembering things that happened not even five minutes ago but its not all the time. I have the swollen gums and problems talking (Saying the wrong word at the end of a sentence). I have experienced dizzy spells but only if I took too much (Taking my meds and forgetting about taken it) Better safe than sorry."
- Rogr
- April 18, 2013
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Peripheral Neuropathy "I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 8 years old, I was put on Dilantin. When I was 65, my neurologist changed my meds 3 or 4 times and I am now on Keppra twice a day with phenobarbatol at night. I haven't had a problem in 6 years, but I developed neuropathy which is a real pain. It makes me have balance problems."
- Jan
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- May 20, 2018
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I've been on dilantin for about 4 years now. I'm taking 900mg per day. I experience tingling / numbness in hands and fingers. I get many more ingrown hairs on face and in public area, vertigo but not as bad as first 6 months of taking. I continue to have seizures but frequency is average of 1 ever couple of months. I'm taking Dilantin in combination with other drugs for seizures which have changed. Dilantin has been the one which stays constant."
- Ernesto...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- October 3, 2015
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "In 1981 I have had my first seizures. These were diagnosed as epilepsy. My neurologist put me on Dilantin. However, I got some side-effects dizziness, etc. Later on, I have no seizures for more than 8 years where another doctor decreased the dose to 2 tablets a day. After which, there were no more side-effects. I was seizure-free for more than 20 years now. Though I've got some backaches and I've developed osteoarthritis."
- Anonymous
- March 10, 2010
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "My 6 year old son suffered seizures for over a year until Doctor gave him Dilantin in the hospital. No more seizures after the first dose. It's been 2 years now. Dilantin was a life changing medicine for us."
- cwydner
- August 15, 2009
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I have had seizures for 40 years. I started on Dilantin and phenobarbital. I had breakthroughs with petit mal seizures, but my grand mals were controlled. When I became pregnant they stopped the phenobarbitol and started me on tegretol. I had more seizures, petit mal and partial complex. Finally a new doctor started me on phenobarbital again with the Dilantin and Tegretol and I rarely have any seizures. When I do they are only petit mal and last only a minute or so."
- Anonymous
- September 15, 2008
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "Been taking Dilantin for 36 yrs. Had a gran mal seizure. As long as I take medicine things are good. Side effects are eyes sensitive to bright sunshine, gums swell, get tired quicker. Has improved quality of life."
- PDG
- Taken for 10 years or more
- December 21, 2020
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I've been using Dilantin for 23 years and I've been seizure free. Unfortunately, my insurance company has decided that they don't want to cover it, so I'm paying all out of pocket. I've tried generic versions, they don't work for me, so I'm thinking of changing. But I've been very pleased with Dilantin, to this point."
- Dr CK
- June 8, 2016
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "After back to back tonic-clonic(grand-mal) seizures in 1989, I was put on Dilantin. With differing insurance programs, many times generic forms of it had to be used. A year back, although on 400 mg gram of phenytoin was still having problems. Since then, have been returned to Dilantin and reduction to 300mg per day. With this reduction, the blood tests are running high. However, some seizures still exist, but no massive seizures or complete blackouts are present. To handle mental recall problems, was put on strattera, years ago. The combination of Dilantin and straterra has improved my communication abilities. The original difficulties were courtesy of brain damage due to an auto accident. The brain damage created the epilepsy and aphasia."
- Cherry...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- May 26, 2018
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I had my first seizure at the beginning of April. I was in the hospital for weeks as I had kidney failure as well. Only two weeks after I got out I was in my car when the second seizure struck causing me to crash. I wrote off my car and have my license suspended. I was put on Tegretol CR but the side effects were terrible so now I'm on 300mg of dilantin and haven't had a seizure since. Unfortunately since my first one my sleep has been terrible."
- mentot
- June 7, 2008
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I have tried several anti-convulsant medicines, even, had combinations before. Dilantin provides better result for me among all. There were few false side effects like rashes, constipations, nausea and dizziness but it really depends on what you have eaten. Just make sure that you get a regular dilantin assay for your safety. I think, it really depends on what kind of seizure and how your body reacts to medicines. "
- Patri...
- January 23, 2023
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I have never had a seizure in my life I'm 59 years old about year and a half ago started having what they called silent seizures this went on for a year before they found out I was having seizures I was having seizures everyday they put me on dilantin for a year and a half I can tell already the bad side effects - I've gone from 150 pounds to 93 pounds falling broken bones walking around like I'm drunk but it did stop the seizures."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 10 years or more
- March 17, 2021
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Seizures "I was reading your article above you mentioned hair loss while taking Dilantin. Try 500 mcg of biotin once a day. You want to protect your bones to with calcium, magnesium and vitamin D. Always talk to your neurologist first. Good Luck"
- mscam...
- April 19, 2010
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I have had good but not great response with Dilantin. The medicine helps to reduce my seizures significantly but the side effects are not fun. I experience shaking hands, anxiety, and being very klutzy and forgetful. I have been on the medication for just over nine years and the seizures have slowed, but even on the treatment I'll still experience grand mals that are significant; but not as bad as they used to be. I was just wondering what the real long term effects are, and what to look out for."
- Mrs...
- March 12, 2009
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "I have been using dilantin for my epilesy for about 38 years now, it has been an excellent drug that has been used other than the swelling of the gums. I have also had 3 children, which our doctors in our town freaked out about while being on medicine. I think they were very happy when the pregnancy ended. But my babies were all healthy babies and I did breast feed."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
More about phenytoin
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (3)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: group I antiarrhythmics
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
- Phenytoin drug information
- Phenytoin injection
- Phenytoin (Injection) (Advanced Reading)
- Phenytoin (Oral) (Advanced Reading)
- Phenytoin Chewable Tablets
Other brands
Dilantin, Phenytek, Phenytoin Sodium, Prompt
Professional resources
- Phenytoin, Phenytoin Sodium monograph
- Phenytoin Capsules (FDA)
- Phenytoin Chewable Tablets (FDA)
- Phenytoin Infatabs (FDA)
- Phenytoin Oral Suspension (FDA)
Other brands
Dilantin, Phenytoin Sodium, Phenytek
Dilantin (phenytoin) for Neurosurgery "I've been taking phenytoin for the past 8 months now as I had a bleed on the brain that caused me to fit. I've noticed that it's stopped me from having a seizure since the day I fitted. But ever since I've been feeling weak can't remember things from day to day and can't remember what I done like 10mins ago, I'm taking 300mg every night and I feel spaced out every day and can't be bothered doing anything I'm only 22."