Phenytoin (Oral 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Decreased coordination
• Mental confusion
• Nervousness
• Slurred speech
• Trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
• Unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

• Inability to move the eyes
• Increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
• Shakiness and unsteady walk shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• Sticking out of the tongue
• Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• Twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
• Uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
• Unusual facial expressions

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Bleeding gums
• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• Blisters, hives, or itching
• Bloating of the abdomen or stomach
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Bloody, black, or tarry stools
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Cough or hoarseness
• Dark urine
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty with moving
• Fainting spells
• Fever with or without chills
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• General feeling of tiredness or weakness
• Hair loss
• Headache
• High fever
• Irregular heartbeat
• Irritation in the mouth
• Joint or muscle pain
• Light-colored stools
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands or feet
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, irritated eyes
• Redness and swelling of the gums
• Shortness of breath or troubled breathing
• Skin blisters
• Skin rash
• Sore throat
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Swollen glands
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness
• Upper right abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Yellow eyes or skin

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
• Trouble with sleeping
• Unable to sleep
• Uncontrolled eye movements

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