Mesantoin

 
Generic Name: mephenytoin

Brands: Mesantoin

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What is the most important information I should know about Mesantoin?

· Mesantoin is not commercially available in the United States.

· Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking Mesantoin to prevent your seizures from recurring.

· Do not change the brand, generic formulation, or dosage of this medication without first talking to your doctor.

· Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

 

What is Mesantoin?

· Mesantoin is a drug used to control seizures. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures.

· Mesantoin is usually reserved for seizure conditions that have not responded to other less toxic antiseizure medicines.

· Mesantoin is not commercially available in the United States.

· Mesantoin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

Who should not take Mesantoin?

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may not be able to take Mesantoin, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.

· Mesantoin may increase blood sugar. If you are a diabetic and are taking Mesantoin, watch for changes in your blood sugar levels that may be caused by this medication.

· Mesantoin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Mesantoin will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Mesantoin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

· Mesantoin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take Mesantoin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I take Mesantoin?

· Take Mesantoin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose of Mesantoin with a full glass of water.

· Take Mesantoin with food to lessen stomach upset

· Do not change the brand name, generic formulation, or dosage of Mesantoin that you are taking without first talking to your doctor.

· Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

· Do not stop taking your medication even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking Mesantoin to prevent your seizures from recurring.

· Do not take any tablet that is discolored.

· Store this medication at room temperature away from light and moisture.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical treatment.

· Symptoms of a Mesantoin overdose include back-and-forth eye movements, slurred speech, stumbling or staggering walk, imbalance, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, tremor, low blood pressure, and slow breathing.

 

What should I avoid while taking Mesantoin?

· Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can cause deep sedation or sleepiness. It may also increase your risk of having seizures.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Mesantoin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

 

What are the possible side effects of Mesantoin?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Mesantoin and seek emergency medical attention:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·hallucinations;     ·slurred speech or staggering walk;     ·a rash;     ·changes in vision;     ·agitation;     ·yellow skin or eyes (jaundice);     ·easy bruising or bleeding; or     ·swollen or tender gums.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Mesantoin and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea;     ·mild dizziness or drowsiness;     ·tender or swollen glands;     ·headache;     ·muscle twitches;     ·increased facial hair;     ·swelling of the breasts; or     ·insomnia.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Mesantoin?

· The following drugs can increase the level of Mesantoin in your blood and cause dangerous side effects:     ·alcohol, when drunk occasionally;     ·other seizure medicines such as ethosuximide (Zarontin), methsuximide (Celontin Kapseals), and phensuximide (Milontin Kapseals);     ·the stomach medicines cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75), nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR), and famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC);     ·the anxiety and insomnia medicines chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax) and diazepam (Valium);     ·estrogens such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin, PMB, Premphase, Prempro), estradiol (Estrace), esterified estrogens (Estratab, Estratest, Menest, estropipate (Ogen), and estrogen patches (Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara);     ·the heart medicine amiodarone (Cordarone);     ·salicylates such as aspirin (ASA), magnesium salicylate (Magan), choline salicylate (Arthropan), and choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate);     ·anti-infective medicines such as isoniazid (INH) and sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole (Septra, Bactrim);     ·methylphenidate (Ritalin);     ·trazodone (Desyrel); and     ·disulfiram (Antabuse)

· Other drugs may decrease the amount of Mesantoin in your blood. This can decrease the effects of Mesantoin and result in seizures. The following drugs may have this effect:     ·alcohol, when drunk chronically (regularly);     ·the seizure medicine carbamazepine (Tegretol);     ·the heart medicine reserpine (Serpasil);     ·the stomach medicine sucralfate (Carafate); and     ·the psychiatric medicine molindone (Moban).

· Other seizure medicines may interact unpredictably with Mesantoin and either increase or decrease its effects. These drugs include valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton). It may be necessary to adjust your Mesantoin dosage.

· Mesantoin may also decrease the activity of other medicines including     ·steroid medicines, such as prednisone (Deltasone), hydrocortisone (Cortef), betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others;     ·the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin);     ·the heart medicine quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex, others);     ·birth control pills and estrogens such as Premarin, Ogen, Estratab, Menest, Estratest, Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara, and others;     ·the anti-infective medicines rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin) and doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, Doxy, Monodox, others);     ·the diuretic (water pill) furosemide (Lasix); and     ·the asthma medicine theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theo-Bid, Theolair, others).

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Mesantoin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Mesantoin written for health professionals that you may read.