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What is New Dilantin

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Posted 12/22/2011 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
ive been on the generic for 15 years 100mg 3 times a day and been seizure free for 15 years
but now it seems to give me anxiety when i take it
of course im suppose to stop the dr said but too scared too
how long has there been a new forumla
Posted 12/22/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Oh gosh...I have no idea; I switched from Dilantin to Tegretol about nineteen years ago, so I'm out of the loop on this one. Let me see what the Mayo Clinic drug index has to say on this. It is so frightening to switch medications, and the what-ifs drive us nuts! I have absolutely no idea if this will help at all, but you could try this: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602939

I wonder if the Epilepsy Foundation of America might have some information. I was about to look for you, but I'm not even sure what I'm looking for since it has been, as I said, nineteen years since I have even taken the stuff. When I took it, I was a young child, so it was in chewable, children's form. I have absolutely no idea what has happened with the formulation. Sorry I can't be of more help right now, but if I think of something, I'll post again.
Posted 1/27/2012 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Dilantin since may of 98 and have been seizure free since they got my dosage correct in dec 98. I use to take 3 100mg capsules a day and kept having seizures. They moved me up to 400mg, but I was getting toxic. They finally changed me to 3 100mg capsules and 1 50mg chewable tab daily. After a few yrs I switched to getting my supply online and they sent me all 50mg tabs once. I called my doctors office and they said that would work. Well, on my next visit the doctor told me those were different than the capsules. He left me on them, instead of having to buy 2 scripts a month. Well, I was talking to someone the other day and they said they were taking dilantin off the market due to the damage it does to your brain stem, liver, gums, ect. Well, I went to the doctor yesterday and he said they aren't taking it off, but has decided to switch me to Lamictal. He gave me a starter pack and said it takes 2 months to build up in your system, so I have to keep taking Dilantin for now. I knew there were better meds out there, but am nervous about the switch. As far as I know, they haven't switched Dilantin since I've been taking it. My seizures are caused from a hit to the head which caused some brain damage and not epilepsy.
Posted 2/2/2012 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Many of the newer drugs used to treat Epilepsy are shown to be much less toxic to the system.

My son has taken Lamictal, Topamax, Keppra and Vimpat so far. Topamax caused his appetite to virtually go away and he was very slim. Lamictal dosage became so high that he started having elevated liver enzyme tests.

If you have a neurologist you trust and who stays up to date on the latest research, I think switching medications, while definitely stressful, can be managed well.
Posted 2/9/2012 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
I would say (IMO) Dilantin is the go, well at least for me. I've been epileptic for over 20ys (inherited), so mine isn't going away, sadly. I have grand mal seizures, well did. Dilantin has kept me clean for 20 years or better, with annoying side affects, like enlarged gums (makes smiling a rarity). They attempted the generic, I seized, they attempted another (forgot name), I seized. Dilantin is my drug of choice for life its apparent. Guess the body decides in the end what it wants and doesn't want regardless of situation. Good Luck Mate!
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