Fosphenytoin (Injection)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 16, 2022.
The rate of IV fosphenytoin sodium administration should not exceed 150 mg phenytoin sodium equivalents (PE) per minute in adults and 2 mg PE/kg/min (or 150 mg PE/min, whichever is slower) in pediatric patients because of the risk of severe hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. Careful cardiac monitoring is needed during and after administering IV fosphenytoin sodium. Although the risk of cardiovascular toxicity increases with infusion rates above the recommended infusion rate, these events have also been reported at or below the recommended infusion rate. Reduction in rate of administration or discontinuation of dosing may be needed .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Cerebyx
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Anticonvulsant
Chemical Class: Hydantoin (class)
Uses for fosphenytoin
Fosphenytoin injection is used to control certain types of seizures (convulsions) in the treatment of epilepsy. It is also used to prevent and treat seizures that occur during brain surgery. Fosphenytoin is an anticonvulsant that works in the brain tissue to stop seizures.
Fosphenytoin injection also used for short-term substitution for oral phenytoin. Fosphenytoin should only be used when taking phenytoin by mouth is not possible.
Fosphenytoin is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.
Before using fosphenytoin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For fosphenytoin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fosphenytoin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Cerebyx® injection in children.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of fosphenytoin injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Sesquient™ injection for short-term substitution for oral phenytoin in children 2 years of age and older. Safety and efficacy have been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of fosphenytoin injection have not been performed in the geriatric population. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving fosphenytoin injection.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
..
