Indications for phenytoin
Developed in 1938, phenytoin remains a first-line medication for epilepsy, due to its
- efficacy against a range of syndromes
- low cost
- ease of use
Phenytoin is indicated for use as an anticonvulsant drug in people of all ages. Evidence supporting efficacy of phenytoin as an anticonvulsant was derived from active drug-controlled studies that enrolled patients with the following seizure types:
- Partial seizures
- Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)
Phenytoin is best used for partial-onset seizures. It generally is not effective against generalized-onset absence seizures or infantile spasms.
Phenytoin has limited value in clonic, myoclonic, and atonic seizures and in the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It may control the tonic-clonic component of the syndrome.
