phenytoin

Phenytoin is a small molecule antiepileptic drug of the hydantoin class, primarily used to manage and prevent seizures such as generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, complex partial seizures, and to prevent and treat seizures during or after neurosurgery. Its mechanism of action involves voltage-dependent blockade of voltage-gated sodium channels in neurons. By binding preferentially to the inactive state of these channels, phenytoin inhibits sustained high-frequency repetitive firing of action potentials. This stabilizes neuronal membranes and elevates the seizure threshold by reducing post-tetanic potentiation at synapses in the motor cortex, thereby preventing seizure activity from spreading[2][3][4][5][6]. Phenytoin was first introduced in 1946.

Brand names

DilantinPhenytek

Other names

diphenylhydantoin