Phenytoin Toxicity Presenting as Encephalopathy With Fatal Outcome: A Case Report

Abstract

Phenytoin is the oldest sedative antiepileptic drug and one of the most widely prescribed antiepileptic drug effective against all types of partial and tonic-clonic seizures except in absence seizures. Medication errors with phenytoin often occur and can be life-threatening but have rarely been fatal, especially in adults. We here report a fatal case of phenytoin-induced encephalopathy in an adult due to inadvertent drug overdose and highlight the importance of clinicians educating the patients and caregivers regarding the toxic manifestations of phenytoin, so that toxicity can be recognized early and delay in therapeutic intervention can be avoided.




J Neurol Res. 2013;3(6):184-186
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jnr249w