Preferred Sample Type

Phenytoin

Suitable Specimen Types

Serum

Phenytoin

Specimen Volume

2 mL blood

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

Specimens can be stored at 4ºC for up to 2 days, for longer periods store frozen at -20ºC.

General Information

Phenytoin is used to treat all types of seizure disorders except absence seizures; it is also used as prophylaxis after brain injury, although it has not been shown to be effective for other than short-term prophylaxis. Its unique feature is its nonlinear kinetics of action. Other features are numerous drug interactions and the potential for causing a wide variety of adverse effects. Although the mechanism of action is not established, phenytoin is theorized to act by blocking sodium channels in neuronal tissue, causing in prolongation of their rate of recovery and reduction in the frequency of sustained repetitive firing of action potentials.

When attempting to increase plasma concentrations of phenytoin, the dose should be increased byABW = IBW 1.33 (actual wt. − IBW)

where IBW is the ideal body weight.

Because children are faster metabolizers than adults, the dose (mg/kg) that was effective in a child will need to be decreased after puberty.

Long-term complications of phenytoin therapy include hirsutism, acne, coarsening of facial features, folate deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and gingival hyperplasia, which can occur even if phenytoin is kept at “therapeutic” concentrations. Signs of toxicity include lethargy, drowsiness, nystagmus, diplopia, ataxia, vertigo, neuropsychological impairment, and nausea.
From Warner et al.Clinical Chemistry, May 1998 vol. 44 no. 5 1085-1095.

Samples should be taken at trough drug levels by collecting a sample prior to the next dose.

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

Serum sample is required (red or yellow top), gel tubes  (yellow top) are preferred.

Do not analyse grossly haemolysed or grossly lipaemic samples.

 

Reference Range

Therapeutic range:  10.0 - 20.0 mg/L

*Minimum time for patient to reach steady state without loading or after dosage change is 7 days*

Source of Reference Range

Abbott Diagnostics

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

General Information

General information about the website and its content

Location of Laboratories

Where the laboratories are located and information about the services offered at each laboratory