PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN belongs to the group of neurological medication called 'anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs', primarily used to control seizures (fits) in epilepsy. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN is also used to control or prevent seizures during/after brain surgery and also treats trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain). Epilepsy is the central nervous system's disorder characterized by a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures or fits, unusual behaviour and loss of awareness.
PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN contains two antiepileptic medicines: 'Phenobarbital' and 'Phenytoin'. Phenobarbital (also known as phenobarbitone or phenobarb) belongs to the class of drugs called barbiturate anticonvulsants/hypnotics. It works by increasing the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the central nervous system. This GABA reduces the abnormal brain activity that occurs during a seizure episode. Phenytoin belongs to the class of drugs called hydantoins. Brain cells or neurons normally work at a certain rate. During a seizure episode, these brain cells are forced to work rapidly in an uncontrolled way. Phenytoin helps prevent the brain cells from such rapid uncontrolled working, thus preventing the brain's abnormal electrical activity during seizures.
Take PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN with or without food. You are advised to take PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Like all medicines, PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN also causes side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects of PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN include dizziness, drowsiness, excitation, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, spinning sensation and trouble sleeping. Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over treatment. However, if these side-effects persist for a longer time, please seek medical advice.
Please do not skip or stop taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN midway without consulting your doctor since it may increase seizures. Let your doctor know if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman before taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN should not be given to children unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN as it might increase the occurrence of side effects. Please inform your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take before starting PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN.
Epilepsy (fits).
PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN contains two antiepileptic/anticonvulsant medicines, namely: 'Phenobarbital' and 'Phenytoin.' It is used to control seizures (fits) in epilepsy. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN also controls or prevents seizures during/after brain surgery and treats trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerve pain). Phenobarbital (also known as phenobarbitone or phenobarb) is a barbiturate anticonvulsant/hypnotic. It increases GABA activity (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a chemical messenger in the central nervous system. This GABA reduces the abnormal brain activity that occurs during a seizure episode. Phenobarbital does not work for absence seizures. Phenytoin is a hydantoin anticonvulsant medication. It helps prevent the brain cells from rapid uncontrolled working, thus preventing the brain's abnormal electrical activity during seizures. Phenytoin effectively controls jerking movements and muscle spasms during seizure episodes known as grand mal fits. However, Phenytoin does not work for absence (petit mal) seizures.
Inform your doctor if you have a medical history of liver/kidney/heart diseases, hormonal imbalance (Addison's disease), vitamin deficiencies (folic acid, vitamin K, and Vitamin B12), lung disorders (sleep apnoea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), mood disorders (depression, suicidal thoughts), alcohol or drug use and blood disorders like porphyria before starting PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN. If you have diabetes, PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN should be used with caution since it may affect the blood sugar levels. You may also opt for sugar-free liquid formulations. Please do not stop taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN midway without consulting your doctor since it may lead to increased seizures. Let your doctor know if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman before taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN should not be given to children unless prescribed by a doctor. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN as it might increase the occurrence of side-effects. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN can cause dizziness and affect your ability to drive; hence drive with caution.
Drug-Drug Interaction: PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN may interact with anti-inflammatory drugs (azapropazone), HIV/AIDS drugs (darunavir, delavirdine, etravirine, rilpivirine), heart-related drugs (dofetilide), blood pressure-lowering drugs (nisoldipine), cholesterol-lowering agents (colesevelam), anti-psychotics (molindone, quetiapine), weight loss drugs (orlistat), Vitamins (pyridoxine (vitamin B6)), other anti-seizure medicines (valproic acid), azole antifungals (itraconazole), anti-ulcer drugs (sucralfate) and antibiotics (telithromycin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcohol and St. John's wort (antidepressant and herbal supplement) while using PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN.
Drug-Disease Interaction: PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN may have interactions with heart problems, hormonal imbalance, lung problems, diabetes, anaemia, alcoholism, blood disorders and kidney or liver diseases.
Avoid taking alcohol while using PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN since it may worsen the side effects.
PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN is a pregnancy category D drug and has harmful effects on the baby. However, seizure control is mandatory during pregnancy. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN should be used only if the benefits outweigh the risk in a pregnant woman. Please consult your doctor before taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN is excreted into the breast milk and is not recommended if you are a breastfeeding woman. Please consult your doctor before taking PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN if you are breastfeeding.
You may experience dizziness and drowsiness while using PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN. In such cases, do not drive or operate machinery until you are mentally alert and focused.
Dose adjustment may be needed. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Dose adjustment may be needed. PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
PHENOBARBITAL+PHENYTOIN can be given to children only if prescribed by the doctor. The dosage depends on the child's age and weight.
Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, leading to rapid fits/seizure episodes with unusual behaviour and loss of awareness.
Fits/Seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain. The main symptom of epilepsy is fits. Epilepsy is of two main types: Generalized seizures (affect the entire brain) and Partial seizures (affect one part of the brain). A mild seizure might be difficult to recognize as it lasts for only a few seconds, during which one lacks awareness. Stronger seizures cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms, lasting for a few seconds to several minutes. Lack of sleep, high fever, stress, bright lights, caffeine, certain medicines, alcohol and skipping meals/overeating are a few of the most common triggers for seizures. The possible causes of epilepsy include traumatic brain injury, scarring on the brain after a brain injury, high fever, stroke, vascular diseases, lack of oxygen to the brain, brain tumour and genetic disorders.