The side effects of phenytoin can occassionally engender significant morbidity. Phenytoin can induce generalised eruptions that include: a maculopapular exanthem, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, generalised exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, vasculitis and fixed drug eruptions. Phenytoin is linked to a hypersensitivity syndrome that manifests with fever, rash and lymphadenopathy. Patients receiving phenytoin may develop pseudolymphoma or, rarely, malignant lymphoma and mycosis fungoides-like lesions.

Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Phenytoin is used to control seizures convulsions in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also used to prevent and treat seizures that occur during brain surgery. This medicine is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.

Back to Medicines A to Z. It can also be used to treat trigeminal neuralgia , a type of nerve pain that affects your face. Phenytoin is available on prescription. It comes as tablets that can be chewed or dissolved in water, capsules and a liquid that you swallow.