Phenytoin

Definition

A hydantoin derivative and a non-sedative antiepileptic agent with anticonvulsant activity. Phenytoin potentially acts by promoting sodium efflux from neurons located in the motor cortex reducing post-tetanic potentiation at synapses. The reduction of potentiation prevents cortical seizure foci spreading to adjacent areas, stabilizing the threshold against hyperexcitability. In addition, this agent appears to reduce sensitivity of muscle spindles to stretch causing muscle relaxation.

NCIT:C741 · NCI Thesaurus OBO Edition · CC BY 4.0

Also known as 5,5-Diphenyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, Diphenylhydantoin, PHENYTOIN — per NCIT

Also identified as

ATC N03AB per NCIT
NCIT NCIT:C741 per NCIT

Indications

Disease	Relation	Source
Post-traumatic epilepsy	may prevent	MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures	may treat	MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Temporal lobe epilepsy	may treat	MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)

Organ Effects

Organ	Side effect / interaction	Source
Brain	may treat a disease of this organ	DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Central nervous system	may treat a disease of this organ	DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Nervous system	may treat a disease of this organ	DERIVED · CC BY 4.0

3 entries above are marked DERIVED: Atlas Médico inferred them by combining two sourced claims, and no source asserts these links directly. Treat them as a navigation aid, not as a clinical statement.