Phenytoin: side effects

Evidence-based neurology checklist on phenytoin: side effects: Movement disorders Cerebellar ataxia: this occurs in 40% of patients on long-term treatment Dyskinesias Myoclonus Dystonia Parkinsonism Tics Stuttering Restless legs syndrome (RLS) Other neurological side effects Infusion reactions…

Movement disorders

  • Cerebellar ataxia: this occurs in 40% of patients on long-term treatment
  • Dyskinesias
  • Myoclonus
  • Dystonia
  • Parkinsonism
  • Tics
  • Stuttering
  • Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Other neurological side effects

Infusion reactions

Cardiovascular side effects

Systemic side effects

Purple glove syndrome

DRESS syndrome: components

Congenital malformations

Fetal hydantoin syndrome (FHS): features

References

  1. Zaccara G, Cincotta A, Borgheresi F, Balestrieri F. Adverse motor effects induced by antiepileptic drugs. Epileptic Disord 2004; 6:153-168.
  2. Asconapé JJ. Some common issues in the use of antiepileptic drugs. Semin Neurol 2002; 22:27-39.  
  3. Rissardo JP, Caprara ALF. Phenytoin-associated movement disorder: a literature review. Tzu Chi Med J 2022; 34:409-417. 
  4. Shanmugarajah PD, Hoggard N, Aeschlimann DP, et al. Phenytoin-related ataxia in patients with epilepsy: clinical and radiological characteristics. Seizure 2018; 56:26-30. 
  5. Iivanainen M. Phenytoin: effective but insidious therapy for epilepsy in people with intellectual disability. J Intellect Disabil Res 1998; 42(Suppl 1):24-31. 
  6. And 18 more. Subscribe to see the full list

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