Dilantin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• doc...
• March 24, 2014

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 did like 10 mins ago. I'm taking 300 mg every night, and I feel spaced out every day and can't be bothered doing anything. I'm only 22."

• LJW...
• August 14, 2017

For Epilepsy "I started Dilantin in 1974. About 25 years of taking it has given me peripheral neuropathy. No doctor 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."

• Ken...
• August 29, 2011

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."

• Fit...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 11, 2021

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 liver function test taken every 6 months, but no major issues there. Overall, never had any seizures in 1990."

• PDG...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 21, 2020

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."

• dla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2016

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. 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."

• one...
• July 10, 2014

For Epilepsy "I have been on Dilantin for 20 years. It has helped me from having seizures when I remembered to take it, but for the past 5 years, I have taken it every day like I'm supposed to. I take 300 mg every day in the morning at the same time. There has been one time that I had a seizure while taking my medicine every day. It happened 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 it's not all the time. I have 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 taking it). Better safe than sorry."

• Kim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 5, 2020

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."

• twi...
• October 12, 2011

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, and 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."

• cin...
• November 10, 2010

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 I can't stand the side effects. I'm so dizzy and lightheaded. I have a hard time walking and keeping my balance. I also am having a hard time concentrating and remembering things."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2010

For Seizures "My 6-year-old son suffered seizures for over a year until the 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."

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 20, 2018

For Seizures "I've been on Dilantin for about 4 years now. I'm taking 900 mg per day. I experience tingling/numbness in hands and fingers. I get many more ingrown hairs on my face and in the public area, vertigo, but not as bad as the first 6 months of taking. I continue to have seizures, but the frequency is an average of 1 every couple of months. I'm taking Dilantin in combination with other drugs for seizures, which have changed. Dilantin has been the one that stays constant."

• Dr ...
• June 8, 2016

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 of phenytoin, I was still having problems. Since then, I have been returned to Dilantin and reduced to 300 mg 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, I was put on Strattera years ago. The combination of Dilantin and Strattera 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."

• Rog...
• April 18, 2013

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 phenobarbital 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."

• Pat...
• January 23, 2023

For Seizures "I have never had a seizure in my life. I'm 59 years old. About a year and a half ago, I 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 every day. 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."

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2018

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 300 mg of Dilantin and haven't had a seizure since. Unfortunately, since my first one, my sleep has been terrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2021

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 with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Always talk to your neurologist first. Good luck."

• cwy...
• August 15, 2009

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 phenobarbital 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

For Seizures "Been taking Dilantin for 36 years. Had a grand mal seizure. As long as I take the medicine, things are good. Side effects are eyes sensitive to bright sunshine, gums swell, get tired quicker. Has improved quality of life."

• Ern...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 3, 2015

For Epilepsy "In 1981, I 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 had 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 had some backaches, and I've developed osteoarthritis."

• men...
• June 7, 2008

For Seizures "I have tried several anti-convulsant medicines, even had combinations before. Dilantin provides better results for me among all. There were a few false side effects like rashes, constipation, 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."

• 55b...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 1, 2021

For Seizures "On Dilantin extended plus phenobarbital for 47 years for seizures. Not an episode for 38 years. Requires regular check of blood level with adjustment when elevated. Excellent dental hygiene is important. Bone loss after long-term use with moderate anemia. These effects are worth it for total control of episodes. Specialist prescribes brand only due to efficacy."

• msc...
• April 19, 2010

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."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2010

For Seizures "I have been taking Dilantin for a few months now for both petit mal and grand mal seizures. I have experienced all of the side effects from the medication. My lymph nodes are swollen and very painful. It is making it difficult to talk. My whole face and neck are swollen as well. I have had painful headaches since two weeks after I started taking the medication. I have also had a fever for the past month, around 99 degrees to 100 degrees. This medication works for other members of my family, but it does not work for me."

• Gro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2021

For Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1971. I have taken Dilantin for 50 years and have been seizure-free for the last 17. However, my doctor is weaning me off the Dilantin and onto Keppra because I am starting Harvoni for Hepatitis C, and Dilantin is contraindicated. I am quite scared that I will experience breakthrough seizures, but my doctor will not allow me to take life-saving Harvoni without starting the Keppra. :("