Phenytoin intoxication.
We studied the clinical features of 85 cases of phenytoin toxicity in 76 patients treated at a general hospital. Serum levels of phenytoin on admission ranged from 30.3 to 95.0 micrograms/mL (median, 46.5). Iatrogenic causes of intoxication were common and included increased daily dosage and intravenous loading in the emergency room for single seizures in patients with subtherapeutic serum phenytoin levels. The most frequent neurologic findings were nystagmus (95%), ataxia (88%), lethargy (22%), and seizures (19%). Outcome was usually good, but three patients had serious complications.
Department of Neurosciences, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark.
J M
JM
Murphy
R
R
Motiwala
O
O
Devinsky
D000328:Adult; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*
D010672:Phenytoin