About fosphenytoin sodium
Anticonvulsant; phenytoin prodrug
Used for
- Treatment of status epilepticus
- Short-term seizure control when oral phenytoin is not possible
Usual adult dose
Status epilepticus: 15–20 mg phenytoin equivalents/kg IV or IM; may give additional 5–10 mg PE/kg if needed.
Usual dose in children
Status epilepticus: 15–20 mg phenytoin equivalents/kg IV; additional doses may be used if needed.
Common side effects
- Itching, tingling, or burning
- Dizziness, drowsiness, or confusion
- Low blood pressure or abnormal heart rhythm
- Nausea or unsteady movement
Important warnings
- IV doses must be given at controlled rates with heart and blood pressure monitoring.
- Rapid administration can cause severe low blood pressure or heart rhythm problems.
- Use phenytoin-equivalent units for dosing; fosphenytoin and phenytoin doses are not interchangeable by weight.
- Can cause serious skin reactions, blood disorders, or liver injury.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby; use in pregnancy requires careful consideration of seizure risks and benefits.
Breastfeeding
Fosphenytoin is converted to phenytoin, which enters breast milk; monitor the infant for drowsiness or poor feeding.
Interactions
- Can reduce effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives and some other medicines.
- Other drugs can alter phenytoin levels; monitoring may be needed.
- Alcohol and medicines causing drowsiness may increase impairment.
- IV administration with other drugs may cause incompatibility; check product guidance.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.