Phenytoin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Dilantin, Phenytoin Sodium, Phenytoin Sodium, Extended Release, Phenytek, Di-Phen

Phenytoin has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 110 reviews on Drugs.com. 66% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Phenytoin

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."

9 / 10

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30 Report

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."

9 / 10

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15 Report

Goofy
Taken for 10 years or more
February 6, 2020

Dilantin (phenytoin) for Epilepsy "Been using Dilantin 48 years. Side effects (a)neuropathy in feet after 38 yrs of use. Can't drive. (b) various continual skin problems (nothing serious just irritating {pun not intended} and resolved with a cream. (c) Cost- since first taking it cost has gone up 156% On the upside no seizures for 48 years. At 82 years of age I am thankful for the control over seizures Dilantin has given me and would not change."

10 / 10

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10 Report

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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."

1 / 10

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15 Report

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."

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21 Report

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."

9 / 10

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20 Report

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."

1 / 10

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18 Report

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."

5 / 10

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13 Report

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."

7 / 10

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Tim
Taken for 10 years or more
January 31, 2024

For Seizures "It has kept me seizure-free for over 10 years now. I have grand mal seizures, but I'm fully conscious while my body shakes, and I can't breathe for 2 to 3 minutes until I stop from lack of oxygen. It's is so awful. That's why I'm glad phenytoin has helped me avoid that. I know it comes with some bad side effects long-term, so I'm worried. I've been taking it for 20 years already. But whatever stops the seizures, I guess."

10 / 10

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1 Report

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."

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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."

9 / 10

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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."

10 / 10

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18 Report

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."

9 / 10

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6 Report

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."

10 / 10

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7 Report

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."

7 / 10

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9 Report

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."

10 / 10

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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."

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19 Report

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."

9 / 10

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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. "

9 / 10

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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."

9 / 10

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8 Report

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."

10 / 10

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5 Report

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."

7 / 10

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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."

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D P
Taken for 10 years or more
February 23, 2015

Phenytek (phenytoin) for Seizures "I had my first ever seizure on 8/4/93; one day before my 24th birthday, out of the 'clear blue.' I was first prescribed 400mg of Dilantin daily. I experienced muscle spasms/twitches, sleeplessness at night [and] sleepiness during my waking hours. I was switched to 400mg of Phenytek daily. At first the same symptoms persisted, but subsided over time. I have been on both Dilantin and Phenytek for 22 years; currently on Phenytek and my seizures are controlled, with minor/minimal side effects; occasional muscle twitching and/or headaches remedied with Tylenol. I hold down a full-time job, and I drive, so my #1 priority every night is to take my meds. So far, so good....."

10 / 10

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10 Report

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.