Phenytoin (Injection Route)

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Cold, clammy, or pale skin
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty with sleeping
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness to profound coma
• Fainting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Hallucination
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Measles-like skin rash
• Mood or other mental changes
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Pain in the shoulders, back, neck, or jaw
• Shakiness and unsteady walk
• Shortness of breath
• Slow heart rate
• Slurred speech
• Sweating
• Swelling of the feet and lower legs
• Troubled breathing
• Uncontrolled eye movements
• Unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
• Blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, peeling, or reddening of the skin
• Cracked, dry, or scaly skin
• Inability to move the eyes
• Increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
• Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• Sticking out of the tongue
• Trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
• Twitching, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, lips, face, neck, trunk, arms, or legs
• Unusual facial expressions

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Bleeding gums
• Blisters, hives, or itching
• Bloating of the abdomen or stomach
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Bloody, black, or tarry stools
• Blurred vision
• Break in the skin, especially associated with blue-black discoloration, swelling, or drainage of fluid
• Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• Chills
• Cough or hoarseness
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Fainting spells
• Fever with or without chills
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• General feeling of tiredness or weakness
• Hair loss
• High fever
• Irritation in the mouth
• Joint or muscle pain
• Light-colored stools
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of heat from the body
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle or joint pain
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, irritated eyes
• Red, swollen skin
• Redness and swelling of the gums
• Skin rash
• Sore throat
• Soreness of the muscles
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Sweating
• Swollen glands
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising
• Unsteadiness or awkwardness
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Weight loss
• Yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Change in consciousness
• Changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Pounding in the ears
• Unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Sleeplessness
• Unable to sleep

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• Enlarged lips
• Increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
• Pain of the penis on erection

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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