Pharmaniaga Phenytoin Na Overdosage

The lethal dose in pediatric patients is not known. The lethal dose in adults is estimated to be 2 to 5 grams. The initial symptoms are nystagmus, ataxia, and dysarthria. Other signs are tremor, hyperreflexia, somnolence, drowsiness, lethargy, slurred speech, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting. The patient may become comatose and hypotensive. Death is due to respiratory and circulatory depression. There are marked variations among individuals with respect to phenytoin serum levels where toxicity may occur. Nystagmus on lateral gaze usually appears at 20mcg/mL and ataxia at 30mcg/mL, dysarthria and lethargy appear when the serum concentration is >40mcg/mL, but a concentration as high as 50mcg/mL has been reported without evidence of toxicity. As much as 25 times the therapeutic dose has been taken to result in a serum concentration >100mcg/mL with complete recovery.
Treatment: Treatment is non-specific since there is no known antidote. The adequacy of the respiratory and circulatory systems should be carefully observed and appropriate supportive measures employed. Hemodialysis can be considered since phenytoin is not completely bound to plasma proteins. Total exchange transfusion has been in the treatment of severe intoxication in pediatric patients.
In acute overdosage the possibility of the presence of other CNS depressants, including alcohol, should be in mind.