Free Paper Example on Dilantin: Names, Uses, and Safety Considerations

A generic name of a drug is its chemical name; which is used by drug experts when referring to it. The generic name may refer to the chemical composition of the drug, or its origin, and is mostly used by experts in a given field. In this case, Phenytoin or phenytoin sodium is the generic name that is used to refer to Dilantin (Rosenbaum et al., 1994). It is used by people with adequate knowledge about the drug; to give specific reference to it. Most people do not have adequate knowledge to enable them to use the generic names of a drug; therefore, there is a brand name. A brand name is the one non-experts use when referring to a drug. The name does not necessarily have any chemical meaning or reference attached to it. It is meant to help the identification of the drug, mostly by its consumers. In this case, Dilantin has various brand names; which are used to identify it by buyers or sellers. The brand name is not uniform, and in some cases is different in some regions. For example, it is referred to as in the United Kingdom while in other locations, it is identified as Phenytek. The role of the brand name is to familiarize the drug with the common people for easy sale and marketing. On the other hand, the generic name is used by experts to identify the composition or use of the drug.

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For proper usage, the drug has indications; which help various direct parties on the best way to consume it. Dilantin is meant to treat people who have seizures. The seizures may be a result of other primary medication or other causes that are associated with the wellness of an individual. For example, an individual may have seizures as a result of neurosurgery. That is where the indications for the usage of the drug come in. For the proper usage of the medication, it is essential to first establish the Phenytoin serum level to enhance the effectiveness of the medication. Without the establishment, there may be adverse effects on the health of an individual or a total lack of effectiveness of the drug. For example, there is an indication for placebo patients with events per 1000 patients. For epilepsy, it is 1.0; Psychiatric is 5.7 and others are 2.4. The indications are meant to enhance the effectiveness of the dosage so that an individual is relieved of the seizures without any adverse effects. It is a requirement that an individual undergoes a professional examination to determine the right indications for use. That is meant to avoid instances of self-medication; which produce adverse effects on individuals. Therefore, people are advised to abide by the indications for use to get the best results when using the drug in treatment.

Dilantin is primarily meant to treat people with seizures, but there are other uses that the drug can be effective. The drug is primarily used to control seizures; which is after the determination by a doctor. That is because the drug can effectively treat not all types of seizures. Furthermore, Dilantin is used in the treatment of mood disorders among people. For example, for an individual with bipolar disorder, the use of the drug can have desirable outcomes for them. That is because of the chemical composition of the drug, which produces desirable interventions. Furthermore, Dilantin is used to treat borderline personality disorder among individuals. That is because of the effect it has on an individual’s mood, which is primarily effective in mood intervention. The major effect of the drug is based on its ability as a mood stabilizer for individuals. It is also used for neuropathic pain treatment among people. The wide variety of uses of the drug is based on its composition; which is great for an individual’s mood. However, for proper usage, there is a need for diagnosis, analysis of other pre-existing conditions, and whether an individual is using some drugs. That is because the drug reacts with other medications; which is likely to produce adverse effects.

A contraindication for use is a guideline for withholding the use of a drug on an individual because of the probable negative effects it may have on them. The contraindication is caused by most pre-existing conditions that a person might be suffering from. Therefore, individuals with the conditions must be excluded from any treatment using Dilantin. For example, a person with decreased blood platelets should not take Dilantin. That is because of the composition of the drug, which requires a sufficient amount of platelets in an individual’s blood. Furthermore, individuals with pancytopenia are excluded from the use of Dilantin (White et al., 2012). Pancytopenia is a blood disorder that is characterized by an insufficient amount of all types of blood cells. That means that the individual will have complications when Dilantin is in their system. The purpose which the drug was meant to serve is therefore not achieved because of the weakness the body is facing. Therefore, to protect the individual, it is important to seek alternative medication. Individuals with very low levels of granulocytes are also disqualified from the use of the drug. That is because of the internal body conditions that are required for the optimal functioning of the drug in an individual. Individuals with megaloblastic anemia, softening of bones, and diabetes are all disqualified from using the drug. Their welfare is likely to be compromised when they use the drug or cause major secondary complications.

A pregnancy category for a certain drug is the categorization of a drug based on the likely fatal injury. That is based on the composition of the drug; which may cause adverse effects on the child or the mother. Dilantin is categorized as pregnancy category D by the Federal Drugs Authority (Brucker & King, 2017 Based on research and experiments, it has been discovered that there are adverse effects associated with the use of the drug by mothers before birth. There is the likelihood of malformations, heart issues, cleft lip, and palate. Therefore, it is advisable that during pregnancy, an individual seeks alternative medication. That is meant to protect their health as well as that of the unborn. However, some people use the drug during pregnancy despite its potential risks; which is not advised by experts. The instructions of physicians must be followed to ensure safety when using any drug.

References

Brucker, M. C., & King, T. L. (2017). The 2015 US food and drug administration pregnancy and lactation labeling rule. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 62(3), 308-316. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jmwh.12611

Rosenbaum, D. H., Rowan, A. J., Tuchman, L., & French, J. A. (1994). Comparative bioavailability of a generic phenytoin and Dilantin. Epilepsia, 35(3), 656-660. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1528-1157.1994.tb02487.x

White, K., Potter, J. E., Hopkins, K., Fernández, L., Amastae, J., & Grossman, D. (2012). Contraindications to progestin-only oral contraceptive pills among reproductive-aged women. Contraception, 86(3), 199-203. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0010782412000212