Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (319 page)

phenylephrine nasal
agent

 

phenylephrine
ophthalmic

See
Appendix B

 

phenytoin (Rx)

(fen′i-toh-in)

Dilantin, Dilantin Infatabs, Phenytek

Func. class.:
Anticonvulsant; antidysrhythmic (IB)

Chem. class.:
Hydantoin

ACTION:

Inhibits spread of seizure activity in motor cortex by altering ion transport; increases AV conduction

USES:

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures; status epilepticus; nonepileptic seizures associated with Reye’s syndrome or after head trauma; Bell’s palsy, complex partial seizures

Unlabeled uses:
Migraines, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathic pain, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy (D), hypersensitivity, psychiatric condition, bradycardia, SA and AV block, Stokes-Adams syndrome, hepatic failure, acute intermittent porphyria

Precautions:
Geriatric patients, allergies, renal/hepatic disease, petit mal seizures, hypotension, myocardial insufficiency, Asian patients positive for HLA-B1502

 

Black Box Warning:

IV use

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Seizures

• Adult:
PO
15-20 mg/kg (ext rel) in 3-4 divided doses given q2hr or 400 mg then 300 mg q2hr × 2 doses; maintenance 4-7 mg/kg/day;
IV
15-20 mg/kg, max 25-50 mg/min, then 100 mg q6-8hr

• Child:
PO
5 mg/kg/day in 2-3 divided doses, maintenance 4-8 mg/kg/day in 2-3 divided doses, max 300 mg/day;
IV
15-20 mg/kg at 1-3 mg/kg/min

Status epilepticus

• Adult:
IV
10-15 mg/kg, max 25-50 mg/min, may give 100 mg q6-8hr thereafter

• Child:
IV
15-20 mg/kg, max in divided doses 1-3 mg/kg/min

Ventricular dysrhythmias

• Adult:
PO
Loading dose 1 g divided over 24 hr then 500 mg/day × 2 days;
IV
250 mg over 5 min until dysrhythmias subside or until 1 g is given or 100 mg q15min until dysrhythmias subside or until 1 g is given

• Child:
PO
3-8 mg/kg or 250 mg/m
2
/day as single dose or 2 divided doses;
IV
3-8 mg/kg over several min or 250 mg/m
2
/day as single dose or 2 divided doses

Renal/hepatic dose

• 
Do not use loading dose if CCr <10 ml/min or hepatic failure

Neuropathic pain/diabetic neuropathy (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
300 mg/day in divided doses

Migraine prophylaxis (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
200-400 mg/day

Available forms:
Susp 25 mg/5 ml; chewable tabs 50 mg; inj 50 mg/ml; ext rel caps 100, 200, 300 mg; prompt rel caps 100 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
Do not interchange chewable product with caps, not equivalent; only ext rel caps to be used for once-a-day dosing

• 
Oral susp:
shake well before each dose given via G tube/NG tube; dilute susp prior to administration; flush tube with 20 ml water after dose, hold tube feedings 1 hr before and 1 hr after dose

• 
Allow 7-10 days between dosage changes

• 
Divided PO doses with or after meals to decrease adverse effects

• 
2 hr before or after antacid, enteral feeding

Direct IV route

 

Black Box Warning:

Give undiluted at ≤50 mg/min (adult) 1-3 mg/kg/min (neonates), monitor for CV reactions

Intermittent IV INF route

 

Black Box Warning:

Dilute dose in NS to ≤6.7 mg/ml, complete inf within 1 hr of preparation, use 0.22 or 0.45 micron in-line particulate final filter between IV catheter and tubing, flush IV line or catheter with NS before and after use, give at ≤50 mg/min (adult), 0.5-1 mg/kg/min (child, infant, neonate)

Additive compatibilities:
Do not admix

Y-site compatibilities:
CISplatin, foscarnet, temocillin

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Drowsiness, dizziness, insomnia, paresthesias, depression,
suicidal tendencies,
aggression, headache, confusion, slurred speech, peripheral neuropathy

CV:
Hypotension,
ventricular fibrillation

EENT:
Nystagmus, diplopia, blurred vision

ENDO:
Diabetes insipidus

GI:
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, anorexia, weight loss,
hepatitis,
jaundice, gingival hyperplasia

GU:
Nephritis,
urine discoloration

HEMA:
Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia

INTEG:
Rash,
lupus erythematosus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome,
hirsutism,
toxic epidermal necrolysis

SYST:
Hypocalcemia,
purple glove syndrome (IV), DRESS, anaphylaxis

PHARMACOKINETICS

Metabolized by liver, excreted by kidneys, protein binding 90%-95%, half-life 7-42 hr, dose dependent

PO:
Onset 2-24 hr, peak 11/2-21/2 hr, duration 6-12 hr

PO-ER:
Onset 2-24 hr, peak 4-12 hr, duration 12-36 hr

IV:
Onset 1-2 hr, duration 12-24 hr

INTERACTIONS

• 
Do not use with delavirdine, decreased response, resistance

Increase:
phenytoin effect—benzodiazepines, cimetidine, tricyclics, salicylates, valproate, cycloSERINE, diazepam, chloramphenicol, disulfiram, alcohol, amiodarone, sulfonamides, FLUoxetine, gabapentin, H
2
antagonists, azole antifungals, estrogens, succinamides, phenothiazines, methylphenidate, felbamate, trazodone

Decrease:
phenytoin effects—alcohol (chronic use), antacids, barbiturates, carBAMazepine, rifampin, calcium (high dose), folic acid

Drug/Food

Enteral tube feeding:
may decrease absorption of oral product; do not use enteral feedings 2 hr before or 2 hr after dose

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
glucose, alk phos, GGT

Decrease:
dexamethasone, metyrapone test serum, PBI, urinary steroids

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

 
Phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome
3-12 wk after start of treatment: rash, temp, lymphadenopathy; may cause hepatotoxicity, renal failure, rhabdomyolysis

 
Serious skin disorders:
for beginning rash that may lead to Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis; phenytoin should not be used again; may occur more often among Asian patients with HLA-B 1502

 
Purple glove syndrome
with IV use

• 
Phenytoin level: toxic level 30-50 mcg/ml, therapeutic level: 7.5-20 mcg/ml; wait ≥1 wk to draw levels

• 
Seizures:
duration, type, intensity, precipitating factors; obtain EEG periodically, monitor therapeutic level

• 
Blood studies: CBC, platelets q2wk until stabilized, then monthly × 12, then q3mo; discontinue product if neutrophils <1600/mm
3
; renal function: albumin conc; folic acid levels, LFTs

 
Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, memory (long, short), suicidal thoughts/behaviors

• 
Respiratory depression:
rate, depth, character

• 
Blood dyscrasias:
fever, sore throat, bruising, rash, jaundice

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response; decrease in severity of seizures, ventricular dysrhythmias

Teach patient/family:

• 
That, if diabetic, blood glucose should be monitored

• 
That urine may turn pink

• Not to discontinue product abruptly because seizures may occur

• 
Oral hygiene:
about the proper brushing of teeth using a soft toothbrush, flossing to prevent gingival hyperplasia; about the need to see dentist frequently

• 
To avoid hazardous activities until stabilized on product

• 
To carry emergency ID stating product use

• 
That heavy use of alcohol may diminish effect of product; to avoid OTC medications

• 
Not to change brands or forms once stabilized on therapy because brands may vary

• 
Not to use antacids within 2 hr of product

• To use nonhormonal contraception; to notify prescriber if pregnancy is planned or suspected, pregnancy (D)

• To notify prescriber of unusual bleeding, bruising, petechiae (bleeding), clay-colored stools, abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes (hepatotoxicity); slurred speech, headache, drowsiness

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

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