How is phenytoin administered?

Do you feel like your life is in chaos because of phenytoin medication? There’s good news for you: administering it has never been easier! In this article, we’ll discuss the methods and procedures involved to make sure that your experience with phenytoin will be a BREEZE.

Introduction

Phenytoin is an antiepileptic drug used primarily to treat seizures. It can also be administered to patients who have neuropathic pain or arrhythmias. Because of its potency, proper administration and dosage are critical for treatment success.

Forms of Phenytoin Medication

There are two forms of phenytoin medication:

  • Phenobarbital (PB)
  • Sodium valproate (SVA)

It can be confusing how these medications relate to each other since they fall under the same category as Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs). But fear not, here’s what sets them apart!

Phenobarbital

PB acts on brain cell receptors by enhancing neuron inhibition while reducing excitation between cells. This increases the threshold which triggers seizure activity eventually preventing epileptogenesis from occurring in definite cases.

What Does ‘Inhibition’ Mean?

To put it simply- when something inhibits nerve cells, it dampens their activity resulting in reduced stimulation or electrical excitability within the central nervous system. Now sit back and let that sink in… Just kidding! We know you’re confused but don’t worry; PB works magic on our brains!

Sodium Valproate

And now we move onto SVA, known as relative newcomer among AEDs but increasingly prescribed due to fewer side effects than alternatives such as carbamazepine and levetiracetam.

Fewer Side Effects?!

When given at higher doses, SVA does not show any adverse reactions or contraindications. It has been seen to elevate the serum concentration of GABA and modifies Na+ channel gating kinetics that obviously provides some benefits over other AEDs.

But enough with the technicalities, let’s move on to how phenytoin is administered!

How Phenytoin Is Administered

Tablets or Capsules: The Oral Route

One of the most common methods used in administering drugs like phenytoin is through oral intake via tablet or capsule form. These medications can be taken before, during, or after meals depending on your doctor’s instructions regarding meal timing considerations.

Why Before, During, or After Meals?

That’s a great question! Most pharmacists recommend taking medication with food since it aids in increasing absorption while decreasing stomach irritation and usually results in fewer GI (gastrointestinal) side effects such as nausea vomiting diarrhea etc. In contrast- when given an empty stomach-can cause many unpleasantnesses; therefore always stick to what your physician recommends.

Intravenous Administration

Intravenous (IV) administration may be used for patients experiencing seizures because this method provides fast relief from symptoms. This could prove especially beneficial if one experiences more intense seizures where faster interventions may save lives by preventing life-threatening situations altogether!

What Does IV Mean?

Okay now don’t freak out but IV technically means ‘intravenously’. But guess what? That word sounds way scarier than actually getting injected with drugs- so don’t fret over fancy words and trust us – it works wonders!

Intramuscular Injection

Similar to IV injection; intramuscular injections (IM) provide accelerated onset due increased SFA uptake thus resulting in quicker relief from certain afflictions associated with muscle spasm disorders!

Wait…SFA Uptake..

What comes across as a complex term is essentially related to drug absorption intricacies involving blood flow velocity at microsites near injection sites. Although uncommon, complications of increased reactions like cellulitis may be observed.

Subcutaneous Administration

A slightly less invasive option is subcutaneous (SC) administration that doesn’t necessarily require a healthcare professional to administer- as can readily be performed by an interested but trained party such as family members with follow-up care from the patient’s medical team.

What Is SC Administrations?

Subcutaneously refers to injection given in between your skin and muscle tissue layer allowing for drugs to effuse quickly while avoiding harsh gut environment problems affiliated with oral medication intake; including painful mouth sores perhaps next time just you might prefer the needle!

In Conclusion

Administering phenytoin through various methods provides options tailored-made for patients’ health status at any given point. By now we hope you’re familiar with administering phenytoin and consider it one tool in your arsenal towards combating seizures and other conditions! If administered properly, they can provide relief quickly with fewer side effects than more conventional drug therapies – giving patients hope when faced with unknown challenges.

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