Brands, Medical Use, Clinical Data
Drug Category
Dosage Forms
Brands / Synonyms
Dilantin; Dilantin-125; Epiazin; Epilan; Fenantoin; Gerot-Epilan; Insulton; Mephentoin; Mesantoin; Mesdontoin; Mesontoin; Methoin; Methyl Hydantoin; Methylphenetoin; Metydan; Phenantoin; Phentytoin; Phenylethylmethylhydantoin; Phenytoin; Sacerno; Sedantional; Sedantoin; Sedantoinal; Triantoin
Indications
For the treatment of refractory partial epilepsy.
Pharmacology
Mephenytoin is an antiepileptic drug which can be useful in the treatment of epilepsy. The primary site of action appears to be the motor cortex where spread of seizure activity is inhibited. Possibly by promoting sodium efflux from neurons, mephenytoin tends to stabilize the threshold against hyperexcitability caused by excessive stimulation or environmental changes capable of reducing membrane sodium gradient. This includes the reduction of posttetanic potentiation at synapses. Loss of posttetanic potentiation prevents cortical seizure foci from detonating adjacent cortical areas. Mephenytoin reduces the maximal activity of brain stem centers responsible for the tonic phase of tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action of mephenytoin is not definitely known, but extensive research strongly suggests that its main mechanism is to block frequency-, use- and voltage-dependent neuronal sodium channels, and therefore limit repetitive firing of action potentials.
Absorption
Not Available
Toxicity
Not Available
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
Not Available
Contraindications
Not Available
Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions:
Some anticonvulsants may interact with Mephenytoin. They can either increase or
decrease the effect of Mephenytoin. Those anticonvulsants include divalproex sodium, valproic acid, and
phenobarbital.
Mephenytoin may also affect the effects of other drugs, which include some steroid medications,
warfarin, certain heart medicines, birth control pills, anti-infective medicines, furosemide and theophylline
Please note that Mephenytoin may interact with other drugs that are not listed here.
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