Can phenytoin tablets be crushed?
Background: When phenytoin is prescribed for administration via nasogastric tube, immediate-release OR) phenytoin tablets are crushed before use and extended-release (ER) phenytoin capsules are opened and only the granules are used.
Can I crush extended-release medication?
Sustained-release drugs also should not be crushed or chewed before swallowing because doing so will cause the dangerously rapid absorption of a large dose that was intended to be released slowly over many hours.
What happens if you crush extended-release?
Oxycodone is a potent opioid, and the sustained-release formulation is designed to deliver the drug gradually over 12 hours. Crushing the tablet destroyed the drug’s sustained-release properties and led to rapid absorption of the entire 12-hour dose, which resulted in sedation and respiratory depression.
Can Dilantin Kapseals be crushed?
Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Do not cut, crush or chew this medication. Swallow the capsules whole.
Why should enteric-coated tablets not be broken?
Enteric coating – tablets with an enteric coating should never be crushed. These enteric coatings are placed around a drug to protect the drug from the acid environment, protect the stomach from the drug or deliver the drug to the site of action.
Which medications should never be crushed?
Drugs that should not be crushed are those that are: Designed to be controlled release.
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Taste-modified.
| Prefix or Suffix | Examples | Reasons for use |
|---|---|---|
| SPT — Strong, persistent taste TS — Taste | Ceftin (cefuroxime) Motrin (ibuprofen) Topamax Sprinkle (topiramate) Vesicare (solifenacin) | Unacceptable taste |
Is phenytoin extended-release?
For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules): Adults—At first, 100 milligrams (mg) 3 times a day or 300 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
What happens if you break an extended-release pill?
Extended-release pills.
Cutting a pill engineered to slowly release medication undermines that intended delay. “Splitting this sort of pill can lead to the entire dosage being dumped at once — and that can be very unsafe,” cautions Dr.
What is the difference between Dilantin and phenytoin?
Phenytoin (FEN-ih-toe-in) is the generic name (non–brand name) of a widely used seizure medicine. Common brand names for this type of medicine include Dilantin, but it is also sold using the name phenytoin or phenytoin sodium.
What drugs are not split list?
Examples of products flagged as not recommended for splitting include most extended-release tablets, delayed-release (enteric coated) tablets, capsules (powder, sprinkle, and liquid filled), suppositories, transdermal patches, finasteride, and ciprofloxacin.
What is a tablet called that can be broken in half?
The most common example of this is an extended-release (ER or XR) tablet. Some modified-release tablets also have a special coating on the outside. This is usually done to protect the stomach. Cutting these types of pills will make the medication come out of the tablet too fast or too early.
Why is phenytoin given at night?
Why Is Phenytoin Given At Night? Phenytoin is commonly administered in the evening or at night. So that by the morning, there is sufficient concentration of the drug in the tissues and blood. This would reduce the risk or chances of a morning epileptic seizure.
How do you administer phenytoin IV?
Phenytoin Injection BP should be injected slowly and directly into a large vein through a large-gauge needle or intravenous catheter. It must be administered slowly. Intravenous administration should not exceed 50 mg/minute in adults.
Why can’t you cut an extended-release pill in half?
Cutting a pill engineered to slowly release medication undermines that intended delay. “Splitting this sort of pill can lead to the entire dosage being dumped at once — and that can be very unsafe,” cautions Dr. Miller.
What drugs should not be taken with phenytoin?
Drugs whose efficacy is impaired by phenytoin include: corticosteroids, coumarin anticoagulants, digitoxin, doxycycline, estrogens, furosemide, oral contraceptives, paroxetine, quinidine, rifampin, theophylline, vitamin D.
What happens if you split an extended-release pill?
What is the most common side effect of phenytoin?
Headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, feeling of spinning, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, or nervousness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Phenytoin may cause swelling and bleeding of the gums.
Why is phenytoin administered slowly?
Due to its poor water solubility, parenteral phenytoin is mixed with propylene glycol and alcohol and is only recommended for IV use. It needs to be administered slowly to prevent the adverse effects of rapid propylene glycol toxicity, usually over 45 minutes to an hour.
How is phenytoin administered?
How should this medicine be used? Phenytoin comes as an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, a chewable tablet, and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. The chewable tablet and suspension are usually taken two or three times a day. The extended-release capsules are usually taken one to four times a day.
Which extended-release tablets can be split?
If your tablet has a score line on it, typically it’s OK to split it. Extended-release tablets, capsules, and pills with special coatings on the outside usually can’t be split or opened. Always check with a pharmacist before splitting any pills. They can tell you if cutting your pill is safe.
What is the major side effect of phenytoin?
Phenytoin may cause heart problems, including a slow heartbeat. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, dizziness, or tiredness. This medicine may cause liver problems.
Can you cut ER tablets in half?
“Extended-release tablets and capsules can’t be cut.”
How fast can you push phenytoin?
The drug should be injected slowly intravenously at a rate not exceeding 1 to 3 mg/kg/minute or 50 mg/minute, whichever is slower. Continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram and blood pressure is essential.
How do you administer phenytoin?
Is phenytoin given IM?
When given by intramuscular injection, phenytoin precipitates out at the injection site and is absorbed slowly and erratically. This route is not, therefore, recommended for treating status epilepticus.