Phenytoin toxicity: Difference between revisions

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==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*CV (only with IV form)  
*CV (only with IV form)  
**Bradycardia  
**[[Bradycardia]]
**[[Hypotension]]
**[[Hypotension]]
**[[Vfib]]
**[[Vfib]]
**[[Asystole]]
**[[Asystole]]
*Neuro  
*Neuro  
**Nystagmus  
**[[Nystagmus]]
***First only with forced lateral gaze; later becomes spontaneous  
***First only with forced lateral gaze; later becomes spontaneous  
***May disappear at higher levels
***May disappear at higher levels
**Ataxia  
**[[Ataxia]]
**Decreased LOC
**Decreased LOC
*GI  
*GI  
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*Skin
*Skin
**tissue infiltration (IV) → "[[Purple glove syndrome]]"  
**tissue infiltration (IV) → "[[Purple glove syndrome]]"  
**edema, pain, ischemia, tissue necrosis, compartment syndrome
**edema, pain, ischemia, tissue necrosis, [[compartment syndrome]]
*Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome
*Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome
**Fever, eosinophilia, [[rash]], pseudolymphoma, [[SLE]], pancytopenia, [[hepatitis]], pneumonitis, pharyngitis, [[rhabdomyolysis]]
**[[Fever]], [[eosinophilia]], [[rash]], pseudolymphoma, [[SLE]], [[pancytopenia]], [[hepatitis]], [[pneumonitis]], [[pharyngitis]], [[rhabdomyolysis]]
**Mortality rate of 10%
**Mortality rate of 10%


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**Hypoalbuminemia results in higher free phenytoin concentration  
**Hypoalbuminemia results in higher free phenytoin concentration  
*Other laboratory testing
*Other laboratory testing
**LFTs, hepatic dysfunction increases risk of phenytoin toxicity
**[[LFTs]], hepatic dysfunction increases risk of phenytoin toxicity
**CBC, frequently show eosinophilia or marked leukocytosis
**CBC, frequently show eosinophilia or marked leukocytosis
**Total CK
**Total CK
**[[ECG]], may see arrhythmias, AV block, or sinus arrest with junctional or ventricular escape
**[[ECG]], may see [[arrhythmias]], AV block, or sinus arrest with junctional or ventricular escape
**POC glucose, rule out hypoglycemia as cause of AMS
**POC glucose, rule out hypoglycemia as cause of AMS
**[[Acetaminophen]] and [[salicylate toxicity|salicylate]] levels, rule out common coingestion
**[[Acetaminophen]] and [[salicylate toxicity|salicylate]] levels, rule out common coingestion
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*Supportive care is mainstay of treatment
*Supportive care is mainstay of treatment
*If intubation needed, standard RSI meds ok, avoid lidocaine (same antidysrhythmic properties as phenytoin)
*If intubation needed, standard RSI meds ok, avoid lidocaine (same antidysrhythmic properties as phenytoin)
*If symptomatic bradydysrhythmia:
*If symptomatic bradyarrhythmia:
**[[ACLS: Bradycardia]], Atropine, epinephrine, dopamine are first line
**[[ACLS: Bradycardia]], Atropine, epinephrine, dopamine are first line
**May consider [[transcutaneous pacing|transcutaneous]] or [[transvenous pacing]]
**May consider [[transcutaneous pacing|transcutaneous]] or [[transvenous pacing]]

Revision as of 18:17, 26 August 2019

Background

  • Mortality is extremely rare after intentional overdose if good supportive care is provided
  • Rapid IV dosing carries greatest risk (due to propylene glycol constituent of IV form → myocardia depression & cardiac arrest)
  • 90% protein bound; dialysis ineffective

Clinical Features

Differential Diagnosis

Evaluation

Toxicity symptoms by phenytoin level^

Level Sypmtoms
>10 Usually no symptoms
10-20 Occasional mild nystagmus
20-30 Nystagmus
30-40 Ataxia, slurred speech, Nausea/vomiting
40-50 Lethargy, confusion
>50 Coma, seizure (rare)

^Provides a rough guide only; neither sensitive nor specific

  • Correct for albumin level
    • Free phenytoin concentration determines toxicity
    • Hypoalbuminemia results in higher free phenytoin concentration
  • Other laboratory testing
    • LFTs, hepatic dysfunction increases risk of phenytoin toxicity
    • CBC, frequently show eosinophilia or marked leukocytosis
    • Total CK
    • ECG, may see arrhythmias, AV block, or sinus arrest with junctional or ventricular escape
    • POC glucose, rule out hypoglycemia as cause of AMS
    • Acetaminophen and salicylate levels, rule out common coingestion
    • Urine pregnancy test

Management

Disposition

  • Cannot base on phenytoin level (erratic absorption after PO overdose)
    • Consider discharge if patient has only mild symptoms and serial phenytoin levels decline

See Also

References