title: Prospective study of local cutaneous reactions in patients receiving IV phenytoin.
abstract: The authors prospectively examined the occurrence of subacute local cutaneous reactions (LCR) in patients receiving IV phenytoin over a 12-month period at a general hospital. LCR were detected in 29 of 115 patients (25.2%; 22 mild and seven moderate). All resolved within 3 weeks. Patients with LCR were older (median 68 versus 54.5 years, p = 0.004), were more likely to be in a general ward (86% versus 66%, p = 0.04), and had larger catheters (median 16 G versus 18 G, p = 0.05). The authors conclude that LCR are common in routine hospital practice, but are generally mild and benign.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Clinical Neuropharmacology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. obrientj@svhm.org.au
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Meara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Vajda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003288:Contusions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010672:Phenytoin