Phenytoin and Fever: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2008

Phenytoin for Seizures "I have been taking Dilantin for 3 weeks now, and I have experienced most of the side effects, including the more serious ones, such as fever, hives, loss of balance, and swollen, very tender gums. I went to the emergency room 2 nights ago with skin rashes, painful gums, and painful eyes. The doctor checked my blood and Dilantin levels and said they were completely normal. She told me to take Benadryl, as it was an allergy to something else. I still believe it might be an allergy to Dilantin."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2013

Phenytoin for Seizures "I've been on Dilantin a short while. First month was fine. 5th week, I started getting low-grade fevers, nausea, pinprick rashes, slightly swollen gums. 6th week, my gums were very swollen, so much that it hurts to eat and talk. No libido for who knows how long, acne like I've never had before, vasodilation to the point of my entire body being red and feeling extremely hot - 98 degrees temperature, compared to a normal 80 - 85. I haven't had any seizures, but I'm miserable, so I'm titrating down and will try something else."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2013

Phenytoin for Seizures "I've been on Dilantin a short while. First month was fine. 5th week, I started getting low-grade fevers, nausea, pinprick rashes, slightly swollen gums. 6th week, my gums were very swollen, so much that it hurts to eat and talk. No libido for who knows how long, acne like I've never had before, vasodilation to the point of my entire body being red and feeling extremely hot - 98 degrees temperature, compared to a normal 80 - 85. I haven't had any seizures, but I'm miserable, so I'm titrating down and will try something else."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2010

Phenytoin 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."

• Liz...
• November 3, 2009

For Seizures "It worked well in the hospital and for a time after I left, but I developed a serious allergic reaction to it with a skin rash and fever!"