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Most voted positive review

7 People found this comment helpful

I had a head injury in a car accident. Shortly after that I started to have grand mal seizures. I started taking Dilantin at the age of ten. I am now 63 years old and haven't had a seizure in 35 years. Once I started taking my Dilantin faithfully. I haven't had a seizure. I can never miss a dose, or I start showing problems. I also cannot take the substitute for Dilantin. It does not work.

Most voted negative review

2 People found this comment helpful

I began taking Dilantin late in the year of 1994 at age 14 I continued to take the three times a day dose for 5 years, after a discussion with my neurologist we decided to discontinue treatment. The medication worked, however I had only ever experienced 2 gran mal seizures, and haven’t had another since 1994. There have only been 2 notable side effects that would make me not take this medication ...

Shared reviews and ratings

Danny Hatt | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
5/2/2016
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had my first seizure when I was 20. As long as I took my meds everyday, once a day, i was great. i am now 59. A brain tumor has appeared and I had surgery. i am now trying to fix the dosage level of the Dilantin. The doctor and i are discussing if the tumor is 40 years old and we think so. Anyway i am having a hard time to readjust, but hopefully will.

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John | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
3/2/2015
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had my first seizure around age 25. I opted to wait for a second seizure before starting on medication, and ended up only having to wait a few months. I've been almost seizure-free since then - my lone episode happened after I had become lax in following the prescribed dosages, and my blood level fell quite low. Since that third seizure, though, I've been more diligent about following the regimen. Results are all positive. In addition to controlling my seizures, I've been pretty much free of any adverse side effects. I am active and fit which probably helps. Read More Read Less

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Buba Gone | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
12/30/2012
Condition: Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I've been taking Dilantin for 37 years. Like others, the generic version was not as effective and I switched back. With my insurance, the generic version would have cost me $10 a month but Dilantin cost me $60 but it's worth the extra expense. I take 400mg a day at this time. There have been some side effects like headaches but all in all, Dilantin has allowed me to live a very very normal life. I've had one Toxic episode where the level got to high in my system. I was taking it with Phenobarbital but have transitioned off of it and I'm now taking Vimpat. The goal is to transition off the Dilantin or at least to a lower dosage.Read More Read Less

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morag | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
8/29/2012
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My white blood cells continue to drop, and my dr has attributed this to Dilantin. Perhaps there should be a limit to its use (I have an Astrocytoma and it caused a seizure for 45 mins and had to be comatosed. I was initially on 600mg but my liver was so toxic I am on 300mg and have been for 14 months

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phreedo | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
3/18/2011
Condition: Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Currently taking 200mg Phenytoin (ext) twice a day for idiopathic epilepsy. I haven't had a seizure but I get frequent dizzy spells and twitches, loss of concentration and appetite. So far though, its better than having a Grand Mal seizure every week or so.

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Cowgirlup | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
2/1/2011
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am taking extended Dilantin, my appetite is gone, nausea is here and so are migraines! I am taking the pills to please the Neurologist AND DMV. Well ok family too but am not convincinced I need them. I am dizzy from them all of the time and feel out of sorts. And I can't seem to quench my thirst. To boot I have had a gastric bypass so I shouldn't BE on anything extended as I don't absorb extended anymore because things pass thru my system too fast AND the last thing I need is a smaller appetite!! I already eat the serving of an egg as it is! This is all two weeks old for me and I spent 4 days in the hospital over my grand mal with all normal results of course and a quarter bit off tongue! Could stress do this??Read More Read Less

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goodtimin2 | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Caregiver
1/4/2011
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

In 1982 my wife suffered a TBI from an auto accident. She has had epilsepy since then and has always taken Dilantin; currently 100 mg 4 times daily. She also took Tegretol, but the side effects were so bad: balance control, slurred speech, double vision,etc that finally a very informed neurologist switched her to Keppra. Wow! What a great difference. She now takes, in conjunction with the Dilantin, 3,000 mg of Keppa each day (4x750). A lot of pills - but they work and the Tegretol side effects are gone. Now...Our insurance only cover 30 mg tablets of Dilantin which would require her to take over 83 tablets of Dilantin weekly compared to the 25 she now takes of the 100 mg dosage. Not fair - not realistic. Solution? Rather than paying out of pocket $62.50 for 100/100mg at our local pharmacy we order online from Canada; 400/100 mg for $59.00. Problem solved. BUT we always buy the actual Dilantin, not the generic. Living out in the boonies like we do where you either drive 30 some miles to the nearest medical facility or take your chances with 911 and the local volunteer fire department medics; we choose not to gamble with the generic after reading all the negative reviews. We also keep an emergency Diastat close by if needed. Hope this review is helpful.Read More Read Less

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tsbrock | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
9/18/2010
Condition: Prevention of Seizures following Head Injury or Surgery
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Dilantin has work to prevent seizures since I had surgery to remove a golf ball sized tumor in 2007. One of the frustrating side affects I have had from Dilantin are "flu like" symptoms that occur on a very regular basis every 3 or 4 weeks. The symptoms are bad the first day but lessen over the next 2 or 3 days. Has anyone else had this type of side affect from taking Dilantin??? My neurologist isn't much help saying it could be the dilantin. My family doctor has given me blood chemistry test, uranalysis tests, etc. and all comes back fine. Interested if anyone else has had this type of side affect and any suggestions to lessen the affect?Read More Read Less

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Howard3 | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
9/17/2010
Condition: Convulsive Seizures
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had a stroke in Dec 2006, and had my first Grand Mal seizure 5 months later. After that I had seizures every 6 months, almost to the day while the doctors slowly upped my dilatin doses to see what level I needed to have in my body, now at 430 mg's per day, I have been seizure free for 17 months. I also retired at about that same time so it may just be the lack of stress. I have noticed that I have become more agitated easily and I have a lot less patience with little things. But otherwise I have had no noticable side effects. Read More Read Less

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Kelley | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
7/14/2010
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was taking before I had surgeory to remove part of a tumor in my left temporal lobe. Before the surgeory it did not clear the seizures. Once I had the surgeory I never had another seizure. I am still being told that I have to take 300 mg a day. I was down to 130mg for a year and still have not gotten a seizure. I am having to also take depression medications because of the side affects of dilantin. Neither of these are covered by insurance. I feel I am losing my money for nothing.

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hulse27 | 25-34 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
5/9/2010
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking Dilantin for 17 years and have had dozens of seizures yet! I started at 300mgs a day up to 600mgs a day and have felt nothing,but dizziness,anger and major depression. The depression come in the morning, as soon as awake which turns to anger mixed with depression and I start having delusions about "Equaling the OD's", (using any means necessary) and they all seem to be violent acts ending with suicide to prevent any further depression or memory of these prior issues.

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Sandilou68 | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Caregiver
5/7/2010
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

my mom has been taking this since 1980's. she now has non-hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 68. i do dilatian is the reason for her illness now.

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for ever curious | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
4/22/2010
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am 60 years old and have had 10 grand mal seizures since the age of 22. I've been suspicious that the side effects have very definatly affected my quality of life. Lack of concentration have bothered me for a long time as well as the usual swelling of gums. In all that time I have considered something else, but what? Last weekend I was involved in a minor car wreck and was charged with a DUI for not passing the field sobriety test. I'm sure its because of the meds. I'm facing a very costly defense to get the DUI dismissed. Has any one had a similar eperance? In general the medicine seems to keep the seizures from happening but has affected my general cordination and cognative processes I'm sure. Dilantin is not something to mess with. Read More Read Less

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WorriedOne | 25-34 | Female | Patient
4/22/2010
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been on the medicine since I was 18 and I am now 29. It helps alot, BUT, after my dental visit I was told that it could cause a GUM DISEASE in my mouth and I could lose my teeth. This is the Saddest thing I have ever experience.

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ptbaur | 19-24 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
4/8/2010
Condition: Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I began with 300mg, and over the course of about 6 months, went to 500, where I began to experience serious side effects-- amnesia, lack of coordination, inability to focus. I was also taking Keppra and Tegretol XR at the time. However, I found that Dilantin, once added, made me agitated, sedated, and severely depressed. Now being weaned off of it, I notice clear improvement. Dilantin being such an old medication for epilepsy, is NOT recommended from my experience. Having to deal with epilepsy is bad enough without medication that makes your mood fluctuate like crazy, makes you feel unstable, and does a poor job controlling seizures.Read More Read Less

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DeAna | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
3/15/2010
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I started having seizure when I was 14. No One knows why nothing tramatic happened, just started having them. I've been taking Dilantin for 19 yrs now & have no problems, A break through ever once in awhile if I'm stressed out or haven't gotten enough sleep. The only time I have a problem is if the insurance company say genric, then I just find a way to pay for it my self. This has made it to where I dont have to worry about seizing in public or at work or anything like that I'm VERY satisfied with this med!Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
11/25/2009
Condition: Seizure Occurring during Neurosurgery
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My first seizures were almost 6 years ago while I was pregnant. I had brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation after having my baby. I had seizures after my surgery and was told that was normal. Since then I still experience the beginnings of a seizure but I haven't blacked out like I did before and right after my surgery. Every time I go to the dentist I have cavities but I don't know if it's from dilantin or from the temodar pills I took for chemo. I can't take back the chemo but if I find out it's diantin, I'll consider switching medicines.Read More Read Less

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Pete | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/9/2009
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I will be 67 in December 2009. In April I rolled off the bed in my sleep. I felt foolish and brushed it off. Three days I began my third Migraine Head Ache in my life. My Migraines have lasted three to five days in the past. Well only two of them. On the third day this time I took Tylenol, "went to bed." When I woke up I was sitting up on the bed being queried by my wife, "An RN" about where I am do I know who I am etc. I asked her why she was asking stupid questions. I physically felt strange and was a little confused. I had experienced a Gran Mal according to her. I went to the ER, had Xrays and a CT scan. I was informed that I had a subdural hematoma, that I needed surgery as it was extremely life threatening. I was transported about 30 miles and they removed it. I now sport two nice shiny stainless steel plates. The surgeon put me on nightly Dilantin at bed time. Every morning and evening I had numbness of my hand for 5 to 10 minutes. I saw a Neurologist about a week after surgery. He doubled my dosage. Morning dose same as bed time dose. After a few days the numbness went away. I have been on this stuff for six months. Texas says I now can drive after six months. I'm also a contract commercial pilot. Don't know about this but I think my pilots days are over. My side effect is forgetfulness, lack of focus in concentrating and general lethargy, etc. Three days ago I started a three week 1/6th lower dosage I'm feeling much better already. I actually completed a complex UNIX firewall chore today and security checks from external tests to my net show it is very secure. Maybe this drug is my problem, not a permanent deficit due to the Gran Mal. After the initial three weeks we will be lowering the dosage again but I have no idea how much. My RN "wife" made an intelligent, "informed" guess but we are of course waiting for the Neurosurgeon to guide us.Read More Read Less

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Pete | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/9/2009
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I will be 67 in December 2009. In April I rolled off the bed in my sleep. I felt foolish and brushed it off. Three days I began my third Migraine Head Ache in my life. My Migraines have lasted three to five days in the past. Well only two of them. On the third day this time I took Tylenol, "went to bed." When I woke up I was sitting up on the bed being queried by my wife, "An RN" about where I am do I know who I am etc. I asked her why she was asking stupid questions. I physically felt strange and was a little confused. I had experienced a Gran Mal according to her. I went to the ER, had Xrays and a CT scan. I was informed that I had a subdural hematoma, that I needed surgery as it was extremely life threatening. I was transported about 30 miles and they removed it. I now sport two nice shiny stainless steel plates. The surgeon put me on nightly Dilantin at bed time. Every morning and evening I had numbness of my hand for 5 to 10 minutes. I saw a Neurologist about a week after surgery. He doubled my dosage. Morning dose same as bed time dose. After a few days the numbness went away. I have been on this stuff for six months. Texas says I now can drive after six months. I'm also a contract commercial pilot. Don't know about this but I think my pilots days are over. My side effect is forgetfulness, lack of focus in concentrating and general lethargy, etc. Three days ago I started a three week 1/6th lower dosage I'm feeling much better already. I actually completed a complex UNIX firewall chore today and security checks from external tests to my net show it is very secure. Maybe this drug is my problem, not a permanent deficit due to the Gran Mal. After the initial three weeks we will be lowering the dosage again but I have no idea how much. My RN "wife" made an intelligent, "informed" guess but we are of course waiting for the Neurosurgeon to guide us.Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
10/30/2009
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I started taking this medication because of seizure disorder for cycle accident in 1978.It was made manditory by the department of motor vehicles to recieve a drivers license. After taking this medication for 23 years council had informed the courts that this medication placed the public at large in danger and i should not operate a motor vehicle. How then are people with a seizure disorder around 2% of the population being fairly treated? How is having a disability now placing this portion of the population at risk? I was only trying to maintain a valid drivers license and stay in compliance with requirements imposed on myself. To provide for my family and there needs. Read More Read Less

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