Paramedic Drug Cards

Phenytoin

Michael Egan
  • Trade – Dilantin 
  • Class – Anticonvulsant
  • MOA – Depresses seizures by affecting the movement of sodium and calcium into neural tissue. 
  • Indication – Generalized tonic – clonic seizures.
  • Contraindication – sinus bradycardia, sinoatrial block, second and third degree heart block, adam stokes syndrome, known sensitivity to hydantoins. 
  • Side effects – N/V, depression of cardiac conduction, sedation, nystagmus, tremors, ataxia, dysarthria, gingival hypertrophy, hirsutism, facial coarsening 
  • Dosing:

Adult: 15-20mg/kg IV/IO ( not to exceed a push rate of 50mg/min)


Pedi: 15-20mg/kg IV/IO ( at a rate of 1-3 mg/kg/min)