Indications for Dilantin
Dilantin (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.
