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 | *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
- CV (only with IV form)
- Neuro
- GI
- Skin
- tissue infiltration (IV) → "Purple glove syndrome"
- edema, pain, ischemia, tissue necrosis, compartment syndrome
- Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome
- Fever, eosinophilia, rash, pseudolymphoma, SLE, pancytopenia, hepatitis, pneumonitis, pharyngitis, rhabdomyolysis
- Mortality rate of 10%
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
- Supportive care is mainstay of treatment
- If intubation needed, standard RSI meds ok, avoid lidocaine (same antidysrhythmic properties as phenytoin)
- If symptomatic bradyarrhythmia:
- ACLS: Bradycardia, Atropine, epinephrine, dopamine are first line
- May consider transcutaneous or transvenous pacing
- Hypotension
- IVF bolus
- Detoxification
- Activated charcoal PO
- Gastric lavage and whole bowel irrigation are NOT recommended
Disposition
- Cannot base on phenytoin level (erratic absorption after PO overdose)
- Consider discharge if patient has only mild symptoms and serial phenytoin levels decline
