Table of Contents
Does phenytoin cause liver damage?
Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant that in rare cases can cause acute idiosyncratic drug-induced liver disease that can be severe or even fatal. The liver injury caused by phenytoin appears to be due to a hypersensitivity reaction and resembles cases of immunoallergic hepatotoxicity.
How does Dilantin affect the liver?
6) Anti-seizure medications Dilantin (phenytoin) can cause liver damage shortly after you start taking it, which is why you will need regular lab tests to monitor your liver functioning. Carbamazepine and lamotrigine can also cause liver injury, which may show up after you’ve been taking either for weeks to months.
How is drug induced liver injury diagnosed?
In cases of mixed injury, liver biopsy shows prominent hepatocyte necrosis and inflammation accompanied by marked bile stasis. Symptoms may include both fatigue and itching, and laboratory tests show similar elevations in serum ALT and alkaline phosphatase.
How is drug induced liver injury treated?
The only specific treatment for most cases of liver damage caused by taking a drug is to stop taking the drug that caused the problem. However, if you took high doses of acetaminophen, you should get treated for liver injury in the emergency department or other acute treatment setting as soon as possible.
Can phenytoin increase Alt?
Monitoring of ALT levels during introduction of phenytoin is recommended by some expert groups, but minor ALT elevations are common and it is unclear at what level of elevation that therapy should be suspended.
Can phenytoin increase ALT?
Can phenytoin cause elevated alkaline phosphatase?
Like the GGT value, the alkaline phosphatase level can become mildly elevated in patients who are taking phenytoin (1).
Can Dilantin cause elevated liver enzymes?
What happens if phenytoin is too high?
The neurotoxic effects are concentration dependent and can range from mild nystagmus to ataxia, slurred speech, vomiting, lethargy and eventually coma and death. Paradoxically, at very high concentrations, phenytoin can lead to seizures.
What happens if you take too much phenytoin?
Seizures. Tremor (uncontrollable, repeated shaking of the arms or legs) Sleepiness. Slow or slurred speech.
What are the symptoms of elevated liver enzymes?
What are the symptoms of elevated liver enzymes?
- Abdominal (stomach) pain.
- Dark urine (pee).
- Fatigue (feeling tired).
- Itching.
- Jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
- Light-colored stools (poop).
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
What are the symptoms of phenytoin hepatotoxicity?
Phenytoin hepatotoxicity is a serious idiosyncratic reaction that occurs in less than one percent of patients. The onset of symptoms occurs early in therapy, usually within the first six weeks. Presenting symptoms often include fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, anorexia, and myalgias or ar …
What is the mechanism of phenytoin toxicity?
Mechanism of Injury The liver injury caused by phenytoin appears to be due to a hypersensitivity reaction and resembles typical cases of immunoallergic hepatotoxicity. This syndrome is more common in blacks than whites, but few other risk factors have been established.
Can phenytoin cause liver damage?
However, the liver injury can be severe and many fatal instances have been reported, phenytoin usually appearing in the top 10 causes of drug induced acute liver failure. In the typical case, however, recovery is usually complete. Likelihood score: A (well known cause of clinically apparent liver injury). Mechanism of Injury
What are the side effects of phenytoin 100 mg?
The recommended dose of phenytoin for chronic use is 100 mg three times daily. Common side effects include dizziness, ataxia, nausea, gum hyperplasia and rash (which can occur in 10% of patients).