Phenytoin and Swelling: 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."

• Ian...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 19, 2014

Phenytoin for Epilepsy "I had my first grand mal seizure out of the blue at 26 years of age, 39 years ago! Dilantin has kept me free from seizures when I have remembered to take the medication. Over the years, I have had several other seizures, but only due to neglecting to take the tablets. I am on 330 mg per day (130 mg in the morning and 300 mg in the evening). I am very thankful to God for Dilantin! I do have a real tendency to be always tired and swollen gums, but otherwise no other side effects."

• 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."

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

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

• one...
• July 10, 2014

Phenytoin 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."

• 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."

• Att...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2014

For Seizures "Had grand mal and was prescribed phenytoin, slowly upping dose from 100x3 to 100x6. I was considered under controlled status, even having 1-3 seizures (partial complex) not during the month, but all the same day. Checking blood levels, everything seems good. Doc says probably female hormones causing imbalance. Seems I have some side effects like confusion, short-term memory issues, can't stand metal in my mouth like silverware, it's a weird feeling, insomnia. Well, next script is a different manufacturer. I never thought it would be such a big deal, but I started to feel high/intoxicated (not fun), blurry vision, skin tone is changing, swollen gums, tingling in face, arms, hands, legs, and feet, along with slight numbness, feel unbalanced."

• wea...
• May 6, 2014

For Epilepsy "I have taken phenytoin for nearly 3 years. I am now on 500 mg, which does concern me, even though it controls my seizures really well. So far, I have swollen gums and some memory and motivation problems, although I am 58, so that might account for that."