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What Are The Side Effects Of Dilantin?
Question: I'm 47 years old male that has been on Dilantin since around 1989 due to what was then thought to be the cause of my seizures was an AVM. I've been seizure free up until about 7 years ago when insurance switched my Dilantin to generic and I had a seizure recurrence. It's back under control again with name brand medicine. My old neurologist has retired so I went to a new one and he's worried about the Longterm effects of Dilantin use and possible toxicity so he had MRI and EEG tests done to see where I am. I won't see the dr for follow up for few weeks but have seen the results of the MRI. The impression said : Stable left frontal probable cavernous angioma. Fluid in the mastoid air cells. Possible mastoiditis.
My questions are:
What are your thoughts on Longterm Dilantin use.
Is Cavernous angioma similar to Arterial venous malformation that I was previously told I had.
How big of an issue is the possible mastoiditis? I do have major sinus, bronchitis asthma issues frequently and have had ear aches from time to time over the last 3 or 4 years.
Thank you for your help.
My questions are:
What are your thoughts on Longterm Dilantin use.
Is Cavernous angioma similar to Arterial venous malformation that I was previously told I had.
How big of an issue is the possible mastoiditis? I do have major sinus, bronchitis asthma issues frequently and have had ear aches from time to time over the last 3 or 4 years.
Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Get a liver function test done.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Dilantin is an anticonvulsant and long term use can give rise to liver problems amongst other things. I would insist you to get a liver function test if your doctor has not ordered it already. You can consider the switching over to generic as a step down attempt which did not work and so guess it is better to continue Dilantin unless your liver function is compromised. If liver function has been affected, there is no other option other than to shift to newer antiepileptics.
Cavernous angioma is similar to the AVM that you had and could have had similar effects (recurrence of the seizure). However, it is hard to comment definitively without proper clinical correlation.
The mastoid bone contains an air sinus and you can consider mastoiditis same as the sinusitis problem that you already have. I would insist you to take cetirizine tablet off and on once daily when needed. You also need to take steam inhalation. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would dilute the mucus and would provide relief. Such problems are usually difficult to get rid of as the air sinuses have very less blood supply and medicines can hardly reach there. Steam can.
Do follow up with your doctor.
Regards
Get a liver function test done.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
Dilantin is an anticonvulsant and long term use can give rise to liver problems amongst other things. I would insist you to get a liver function test if your doctor has not ordered it already. You can consider the switching over to generic as a step down attempt which did not work and so guess it is better to continue Dilantin unless your liver function is compromised. If liver function has been affected, there is no other option other than to shift to newer antiepileptics.
Cavernous angioma is similar to the AVM that you had and could have had similar effects (recurrence of the seizure). However, it is hard to comment definitively without proper clinical correlation.
The mastoid bone contains an air sinus and you can consider mastoiditis same as the sinusitis problem that you already have. I would insist you to take cetirizine tablet off and on once daily when needed. You also need to take steam inhalation. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would dilute the mucus and would provide relief. Such problems are usually difficult to get rid of as the air sinuses have very less blood supply and medicines can hardly reach there. Steam can.
Do follow up with your doctor.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I already take Zyrtec and Claritin daily. I had fatty liver problems about 4 years ago and have had fairly regular labs done on my liver function. Would a humidifier work to help with the sinus issue? I've also been told I have probable mucus retention cysts or polyps in the maxillary sinus.
Brief Answer:
Please mention about the present status of liver function tests.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. It is no use taking both Zyrtec as well as Claritin. I would prefer only the latter. A humidifier would be greatly helpful for your sinuses. A nebulizer (with normal saline nebulization) would be even more helpful.
You did not answer about the present status of the liver function. The liver problem 4 years back could have its origin in long term Dilantin use but in that case it is unlikely to have gotten better.
Cannot comment on the polyps. You will have to see an ENT surgeon for the same.
Regards
Please mention about the present status of liver function tests.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. It is no use taking both Zyrtec as well as Claritin. I would prefer only the latter. A humidifier would be greatly helpful for your sinuses. A nebulizer (with normal saline nebulization) would be even more helpful.
You did not answer about the present status of the liver function. The liver problem 4 years back could have its origin in long term Dilantin use but in that case it is unlikely to have gotten better.
Cannot comment on the polyps. You will have to see an ENT surgeon for the same.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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