Phenytoin toxicity: Difference between revisions

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


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*CV (only with IV form)
*CV (only with IV form)  
**Bradycardia
**[[Bradycardia]]
**Hypotension
**[[Hypotension]]
**Asystole
**[[Vfib]]
*Neuro
**[[Asystole]]
**Nystagmus
*Neuro  
***First only with forced lateral gaze; later becomes spontaneous
**[[Nystagmus]]
***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  
**N/V
**[[Nausea and vomiting]]
*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%


==Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Phenytoin level
**Provides a rough guide only; neither sensitive nor specific
**Level >10: usually no symptoms
**Level 10-20: Occasional mild nystagmus
**Level 20-30: Nystagmus
**Level 30-40: Ataxia, slurred speech, N/V
**Level 40-50: Lethargy, confusion
**Level >50: Coma, seizure (rare)


==Treatment==
 
#Detoxification
==Evaluation==
##Activated charcoal PO
{{Phenytoin toxicity level chart}}
#Bradyarrhythmias
*[https://www.mdcalc.com/phenytoin-dilantin-correction-albumin-renal-failure#evidence| Correct for albumin level]
##Atropine, pacing
**Free phenytoin concentration determines toxicity
#Hypotension
**[[Hypoalbuminemia]] results in higher free phenytoin concentration
##IVF
*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 toxicity|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 pacing|transcutaneous]] or [[transvenous pacing]]
*Hypotension
**IVF bolus
*Detoxification
**[[Activated charcoal]] PO
**[[Gastric lavage]] and [[whole bowel irrigation]] are '''NOT''' recommended


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Cannot base on phenytoin level (erratic absorption after PO overdose)
*Cannot base on phenytoin level (erratic absorption after PO overdose)
**Consider discharge if pt has only mild symptoms and serial phenytoin levels decline
**Consider discharge if patient has only mild symptoms and serial phenytoin levels decline
 
==See Also==
*[[Phenytoin]]


==Source==
==References==
Tintinalli
<references/>


[[Category:Tox]]
[[Category:Toxicology]]

Latest revision as of 15:08, 21 May 2020

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