Biomaterial Database

Idiosyncratic reactions to phenytoin. 1987

N G Powers, and S H Carson

We present a detailed case report of an idiosyncratic reaction to phenytoin and review the manifestations in 16 additional pediatric patients (2.5-21 years of age) described in the literature. These cases illustrate the frequency of fever (82%), rash (94%), lymphadenopathy (94%), hepatitis (94%), and eosinophilia (76%). This constellation of signs and symptoms will frequently mimic common pediatric illnesses so the pediatrician responsible for the care of the seizure patient being treated with phenytoin should be aware of the possibility of an idiosyncratic reaction. Delay in discontinuation of the drug may be life-threatening.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008206	Lymphatic Diseases	Diseases of LYMPH; LYMPH NODES; or LYMPHATIC VESSELS.	Lymphatism,Status Lymphaticus,Disease, Lymphatic,Diseases, Lymphatic,Lymphatic Disease
D008297	Male		Males
D010672	Phenytoin	An anticonvulsant that is used to treat a wide variety of seizures. It is also an anti-arrhythmic and a muscle relaxant. The mechanism of therapeutic action is not clear, although several cellular actions have been described including effects on ion channels, active transport, and general membrane stabilization. The mechanism of its muscle relaxant effect appears to involve a reduction in the sensitivity of muscle spindles to stretch. Phenytoin has been proposed for several other therapeutic uses, but its use has been limited by its many adverse effects and interactions with other drugs.	Diphenylhydantoin,Fenitoin,Phenhydan,5,5-Diphenylhydantoin,5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione,Antisacer,Difenin,Dihydan,Dilantin,Epamin,Epanutin,Hydantol,Phenytoin Sodium,Sodium Diphenylhydantoinate,Diphenylhydantoinate, Sodium
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003875	Drug Eruptions	Adverse cutaneous reactions caused by ingestion, parenteral use, or local application of a drug. These may assume various morphologic patterns and produce various types of lesions.	Dermatitis Medicamentosa,Dermatitis, Adverse Drug Reaction,Maculopapular Drug Eruption,Maculopapular Exanthem,Morbilliform Drug Reaction,Morbilliform Exanthem,Drug Eruption,Drug Eruption, Maculopapular,Drug Eruptions, Maculopapular,Drug Reaction, Morbilliform,Drug Reactions, Morbilliform,Eruption, Drug,Eruption, Maculopapular Drug,Eruptions, Drug,Eruptions, Maculopapular Drug,Exanthem, Maculopapular,Exanthem, Morbilliform,Exanthems, Maculopapular,Exanthems, Morbilliform,Maculopapular Drug Eruptions,Maculopapular Exanthems,Morbilliform Drug Reactions,Morbilliform Exanthems,Reaction, Morbilliform Drug,Reactions, Morbilliform Drug
D004342	Drug Hypersensitivity	Immunologically mediated adverse reactions to medicinal substances used legally or illegally.	Allergy, Drug,Hypersensitivity, Drug,Drug Allergy,Allergies, Drug,Drug Allergies,Drug Hypersensitivities,Hypersensitivities, Drug
D004802	Eosinophilia	Abnormal increase of EOSINOPHILS in the blood, tissues or organs.	Eosinophilia, Tropical,Hypereosinophilia,Tropical Eosinophilia,Hypereosinophilias,Tropical Eosinophilias
D005260	Female		Females
D005334	Fever	An abnormal elevation of body temperature, usually as a result of a pathologic process.	Pyrexia,Fevers,Pyrexias