Dilantin Lawsuits
Dilantin is a brand name of the generic drug phenytoin sodium that is manufactured by Pfizer. It is used to lessen the runaway brain activity seen in epileptic patients when suffering a seizure by reducing the electrical conductance among brain cells.
Phenytoin sodium was the first modern antiepileptic drug developed and has been in use since 1938. Dilantin was proved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982. Like most drugs, there are common side effects such as constipation, dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. However recently, there has been concern that the use of Dilantin can result in Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and the more severe version of it, Toxic Epidermal Necrosis Syndrome (TENS). This is due to an increase in reports of patients who have taken Dilantin being diagnoses with SJS.
SJS is a skin disease that is typically the result of an allergic reaction to an over the counter medication. The cell death that SJS causes results in the epidermis separating from the dermis and it can be fatal in about 15% of the sufferers. SJS symptoms begin with a fever, sore throat, and headaches like a cold or flu, but soon, the patient begins suffering from skin lesions and blisters. Because patient’s skin becomes so blistery, they are often treated in burn units. If the lesions adhere to the lungs, SJS can cause death.
The FDA issued an alert in November 2008 about the potential risk of SJS for Asian patients using phenytoin therapy that have tested positive for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B*1502 allele. The Stevens Johnson Foundation is concerned that the FDA is not monitoring the potential for adverse drug reactions closely enough because less than one percent of the deaths due to drug reactions are reported. The doctors may not be reporting it to the FDA because it is not required, but also because they misdiagnosis the SJS and don’t realize it could be drug related.
Others are concerned that Dilantin use can result in liver damage, irregular heartbeats, decreased blood pressure, and birth defects. A study done at the University of Florida in Gainesville shows that Dilantin use by the mother during pregnancy may result in a lower IQ in the infant.
Many that have taken Dilantin and suffered from SJS or any other adverse side effects have filed suit against Pfizer. The family of Agnes Davis filed suit against ten different companies that are involved in the making, labeling, testing, marketing, and distribution of phenytoin sodium. The lawsuit, which was filed in August 2008, claims that Davis had a severe reaction to phenytoin and it resulted in her death.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 am
I’ve taken Dilantin/phenytoin sodium for around 36 yrs. I’ve had had skin problems thinking it was just dry skin, and now I’m beginning to wonder if it isn’t the drug. Will notice red patches on my thy and backs of my shoulders off and on all years round.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I took dilantin for about 10-12 years and was taken off of it 1994 because of a growth in the top of my mouth. It seem to be growing with time and the doctor said it was due to the dilantin. I am on tregretol now and the growth has not become any larger since 1994.
August 28th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I was on Dilantin in the 60’s and I have noticed that I am having some skin conditions that will not heal. At first they look like blisters but now they are red and scaly has anyone else had these reactions I have not been on dilantin since I was 18 but now that I’m in my late 40’s I’ve noticed the skin conditions.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:32 am
My Dad was put on dilantin after his motorcycle wreck in 2005. He was allergic to the injection and when he went into the hospital they injected him with dilantin after we told them he was allergic. Im almost positive this had to do with his death. Its not fair and I don’t think people should be put on it.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Agnes Davis was my grandmother.I can not express how much pain my family and I went through watching the affects of dilantin on my grandmothers.Could you imagine living two months feeling like your literally burning in hell? I feel that this is exactly what I watched my grandmother endure.Going to the hospital everyday to only watch her condition get worse…..It hurts.I hope ALL the companies realize what kind of affect their “medicine” is having on their consumers.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
I Phenytoin and I believe that it causes me to have extreme swelling in my gums. They will begin as little bumps and then sometimes grow to become painfully large.
January 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I was diagnosed by Kaiser at 13 months with Asthma and Psyco Motor Seizures, or known recently to me to be “Psycogenesis” and not possible at that age by a Dr. Gerras, of Kaiser, San Diego. Another Neurologist, Dr, Higuchi, of Kaiser, Riverside informed me, he suspected I would have Osteoperosis, or Osteopenia at the very least. He was right. He informed me it was due to taking Dilantin as a kid for eleven years. His words were backed up by Neurologist, Dr, Erlan?, I think in the Emergency room in Fontana. I went in for a strange headache on November 4th, 2009, only to be told to take Capra as a nursing Mom. Thus, I refused. I wanted to have an EEG done, as well as an MRI. I got another Neurologist referral and so, Dr. Isaacs of Kaiser Riverside did so, only for me to find out I was on seizure meds all those years for nothing. I have an ARACHNOID CYST that is massive and they should have detected that with a simple CT scan 30 years before. Do you think I have a case? I am currently about to undergo surgery with DR. STINER, Kaiser Fontana on February 10, 2010. I have had this my whole life, and, yes, I am to be put back on seizure meds to readjust after the surgery for the next six months. Someone please Help?