Dilantin Kapseal 100 mg users

[Mike]

Recently I was switched to the new dilantin. Not long after the switch I experienced a grandmal seizure. It is kind of wierd because my blood level was therapeutic. I had been stable and seizure free on dilantin kapseals for years. What is going on here? Any other folks experiencing problems?

[Barbara]

Steve wrote:

Has anyone ordered Dilantin Kapseal and then get Phenytoin Sodium? The pharmacist said that the company that made Dilantin Kapseal went out of business...Don't know about that. Does anyone?

I recently filled a script for the Dilantin Kapseal, the company told me they reformulated it, cuz im so sick on it..When i take the white with the orange band im fine...when i take the orange on one side and white on the other, I have a million side effects, lots of chest pain, skin rash, burning throughout my body.
I dont know what im gonna do i have been on this med for 30 years had no seizure for 14, not they do this

[Barbara]

magdalena gana wrote:

Noticed same and have felt disconcerted by it. Why would they want to "update it"? I will update if I find out any more info.

Ever since i started the new shell, I have been so sick, burning throughout my body, chest pains, and lots more. Not sure whats gonna happen cuz i have been on dilantin for years and now they go chaange it.

[Barbara]

nitelite wrote:

I found this article on the new dilantin capsule. I was unable to post the entire article due to character limitation. But you can go to the link and read the entire article.
http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_119393345...
Dilantin 100 mg capsules are undergoing a transformation. According to Pfizer, the Food and Drug Administration approved manufacturing changes for Dilantin®(phenytoin sodium). Given this change, which was noted in a September 23, 2007, letter to some pharmacists at the corporate level, we have compiled the following information about:
The product itself
The new Dilantin
Dilantin® 100 mg extended oral capsules (half orange and half white) are now being manufactured and will replace Dilantin Kapseal® 100 mg.– white with an orange band in the center — which are being discontinued.
The notice from Pfizer can be viewed at http://professionals.epilepsy.com/pdfs/PFZ_DI...
“As for how the ‘old’ Dilantin and the ‘new’
Dilantin compare with respect to absorption; there is again very little information available from Pfizer. The information that is available suggests that the two formulations are bioequivalent according to FDA standards, with perhaps the new formulation actually being slightly better absorbed, at least when taken on an empty stomach.”
He added,“Until we know more specifics, it would seem prudent that patients note when they begin taking the new formulation, and if they experience any change in either side effects or seizure frequency they should contact their physician.”
Edited by Steven C. Schachter, MD
Submitted: 11/01/07

Well im sorry to burst ur bubble, but ever since I have been on the new shell, i have been so sick, burning throughout my body, slight rash, very drowsy, lots of chest pain. Dont know what im gonna do, cuz i have been on this for 30 years and now i cant take it, only have a few old ones left, any suggestions??

[Barbara]

nitelite wrote:

linda: any idea where to get info on the pfizer lawsuit? I would like to follow it since I will soon have to start the "new" dilantin. who is suing pfizer? maybe I can use that to google it. thanks for any info.

If u get any info on the lawsuit, could u please let me know...i have been so sick on the new Dilantin, burning thruout my body burning in my chest with pains, slight rash, I have been on these pills for 30 years, now whats gonna happen?? I just cant take it no more, y would they damper with someones meds?? NowI feel im in for trouble...any suggesions is appreciate my e-mail address is [e-mail]

[Barbara]

Marcia wrote:

Dilantin 100 mg Kapseals change
Like most of you I've also been concerned about this and have not been able to get a straight answer from anyone until today. I received a letter from my HMO telling me that the name brand Dilantin that I'd been taking for years would no longer be available and that they were going to ask my doctor's permission to substitute the generic the next time my Rx was filled. I called the pharmacist and he told me that YES Dilantin 100 mg Kapseals have been reformulated and that the generic is actually closer in formulation to the old Dilantin then the new one is. That leaves me and a lot of others up a crick because the generic does not work for me. He said that he had no idea why Pfizer would do this to a drug that is so widely used and not offer an explanation. And why would the FDA approve such a thing? He also said that they only had 30 days notice about this. His advice to me was to see my neurologist and if the new Dilantin isn't going to work for me to maybe try switching to another med. My son-in-law also takes Dilantin and he's been on the new one for about a month now. Friday he had a grand mal seizure while driving and a second one in the ER. Fortunately he was in a parking lot and he was going very slow and he wasn't injured and no one else was involved. Later in the ER he had another seizure. Because of state law he looses his license for 6 months now which is a huge inconvenience to their young family. We now know that this is directly related to the changed Dilantin. Scary!!

I'm so sorry to hear about his seizures. i feel im in for the same, cuz the new dilantin is killing me. I had to stop it, now I only have a few of the ones left and dont know what im gonna do. I can't believe they would tamper with such a serious drug. I have been sizeure free for 14 years on dilantin, now what's gonna happen. The new Dilantin is giving me lots of chest pain, burning my skin, making feel funny, very light headed, the old gave me no problems, this is awful for so many people out there. I called the manufacture and they just took a report and said someone will get back to me in 2 weeks, can u believe that. My e-mail is Ladybabs27@comcast cast.net , please let me know how things are going for u.

[Ann PA]

My daughter has been seizure free on Dilantin 100mg kapseals since August 1. On December 24 she refilled her prescription and questioned the pharmacist immediately about the 'new' pill. She was told it was Pfizer's change and it affected the shell only. She began taking it that day and on December 28 she had a seizure. On January 3 she had another and on January 7 yet another. Coincidence?? Pfizer wants to know all the details yet says the drug is the same. Has anyone else experienced any seizure activity since the change? I was under the impression no changes were to be made to seizure drug administrations without a physician supervision. What happened to that?

[Ann PA]

Mike wrote:

Recently I was switched to the new dilantin. Not long after the switch I experienced a grandmal seizure. It is kind of wierd because my blood level was therapeutic. I had been stable and seizure free on dilantin kapseals for years. What is going on here? Any other folks experiencing problems?

I just made an entry about my daughter having three seizures since starting the new dilantin. Her level was also therapeutic at the time.

[ohioRN]

I think there is something very different about the new Dilantin. I have been seizure free since 1993 and have taken the old Dilantin. I started with the new Dilantin in November. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night with the distinct feeling I had just had a seizure. This is very frustrating to me. It's very worrisome as I don't feel "safe" anymore.

[Chrimik]

I would love to see the numbers of people who are filing Adverse Event Reports with the FDA. It too had an event 7 or 8 days after I switched to the capsules even though I had not had a problem for years on the Kapseals. My level too was therapeutic at the time. I hope folks will keep posting their experiences. If anyone else has any other information please post it-this is reallly confusing.

[Tiffany]

What the hell am I going to do?? I have been on Dilantin Kapseals for 29 yrs. I've had great success. In November 04' I went to the Pharmacy to pick up my regular dosage to find A generic Phenytoin, lavender and white, pill. I was a little nervous but they said it was the same thing. 2 months later I have a head on collision with another driver and we both end up in the Hospital. Totaled my car and have to pay for her damages as well. Thank God we're both fine. Of course in the mean time I lose my license for 6 months and my auto insurance skyrockets. Luckily, My medical insurance which is my hopital and Pharmacy, took full blame and I got my license back in 2 months instead of 6. So they put me back on Dilantin and every thing is great until last month when I receive a letter telling me Phizer is no longer making Dilantin and that the generic Phenytoin will work the same. I almost fell out of my chair. All I have left is 2 more days of the Dilantin pills and all they can get me is liquid form. I take 5 Tbls a day. Anyone know about the liquid form of Dilantin??

[two aunts]

My thanks to all of you who are taking the time to give your experiences with the "new dilantin"
I'm new - so I have been reading everything - on the other epilepsy chat, around Oct. 2007 women named Riva and Gina both died (separately) it was attributed to SUDEP - do any of you have more information, ie what were their levels, etc.
My son died, Nov. 1 - Medical Examiner attributed to natural causes. Right!- wrong! He was 32, great health, seizure free - his levels were not therapeutic. He had been on new dilantin a few days. I'm trying to piece "things" together. Any ideas,or help is greatly appreciated.

[Fran]

I have taken dilantin since 1992 this change is wrong, after taking orange/white capsule for 3 weeks I had a seizure. Called pharmistist he said there is no difference. There is a change...light headed, nervous stomach. I need some answers and I want dilantin kapseal with orange band. Help.... Fran Lakeport,CA

[jerry]

are you people reporting your problems to the fda and pfizer

[twoaunts]

jerry wrote:

are you people reporting your problems to the fda and pfizer

At this point I am not - it seems as if it would be an exercise in futility. I do have an appointment with a lawyer who may be able to contact fda and pfizer. Will let you know what happens.

[jerry]

I believe you should at least report it to the FDA so they can start doing some investigating.

[camine from canada]

ive just read all the articles posted and would like anyones help. my brother passed away on jan 16th of a fatal seizure in his sleep. i have just checked his medication and he has the dilantin half orange and half white pills. the last seizure he had was 15 years ago. does anyone know what we can do next to get to the bottom of this.

[Jerry]

So sorry to hear about your brother but this must be reported to the FDA and to Pfizer(the manufacter of the drug). Also this must be reported to his doctor so he or she can report it.

[jerry]

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/instruc_35...
Here is the fda medwatch place to report.

[carmine from canada]

thank you for the link. my other brother lives in florida and when he got back from the fueral this week one of his customers came up to him after hearing about what happend and told him that a friend of hers also died about a week ago after using the generic pills. this is just too similar to ignor and who knows how many other people have died since the change as the bottle still says dilantin and no one is being informed about the changes to the generic pills. is there any law suits against phyzr? I did a search on google and saw that there was one lawyer firm called Brown & Crouppen that said if you develop Stevens-Johnson syndrom ......with a large list of side effects but did not mention death. does anyone know of anymore deaths that have occured?