Phenytoin
Description
Phenytoin, also known as Dilantin, is an anticonvulsant medication primarily used to treat seizures. It belongs to the hydantoin class of drugs and works by stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain, reducing the likelihood of seizures. Phenytoin is typically prescribed for various seizure types, including generalized tonic-clonic seizures, partial seizures, and status epilepticus. It is also used for the management of trigeminal neuralgia, a condition characterized by intense facial pain. Phenytoin‘s mechanism of action involves blocking sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing the rapid influx of sodium ions that trigger electrical impulses. This action effectively suppresses excessive neuronal activity and reduces seizure frequency.
Associated Diseases
Did you know?
Phenytoin was first synthesized in 1908 but its anticonvulsant properties were not discovered until the 1930s.
