Title: Dilantin Interactions: Supplements, Alcohol, and Beyond
Dilantin, a brand-name medication, is prescribed for certain types of seizures. It interacts with various substances, including some medications, supplements, and vitamins. Examples of these include omeprazole, diazepam, and folic acid.
An interaction occurs when one substance alters the effect of another. Dilantin comes in different forms, including extended-release oral capsules, chewable tablets, and oral liquid suspension. To learn more about Dilantin's interactions, keep reading. For additional information, check out this article.
Before beginning Dilantin treatment, inform your doctor and pharmacist about all medications, over-the-counter options, and other substances you're currently using. This information can help prevent potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may impact you, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The following table lists medications that can interact with Dilantin. This is not an exhaustive list. Some interactions are described in detail below:
| | | || --- | --- | --- || Drug class or drug name | Drug examples | Interaction result with Dilantin || certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) | • dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)• esomeprazole (Nexium)• lansoprazole (Prevacid)• omeprazole (Prilosec)• rabeprazole (Aciphex) | can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make the PPI less effective || certain antidepressants | • amitriptyline• fluoxetine (Prozac)• fluvoxamine (Luvox)• imipramine• sertraline (Zoloft) | can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make the antidepressant less effective |
Drug class or drug name
Dilantin interacts with alcohol, as well. It's generally recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Dilantin. Consuming alcohol may affect how well the drug works, and it could potentially worsen some of Dilantin's side effects.
Drug examples
In certain cases, factors or conditions may prevent your doctor from prescribing Dilantin. These contraindications include having had a liver problem while taking phenytoin and having had an allergic reaction to Dilantin or its ingredients.
Interaction result with Dilantin
Dilantin also interacts with several other medications. To learn more about these interactions, read the "Drug interactions in depth" section below. For additional information, consult your healthcare professional.
Drug interactions in depth
certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Certain PPIs
• dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)• esomeprazole (Nexium)• lansoprazole (Prevacid)• omeprazole (Prilosec)• rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat conditions related to excess stomach acid. They include certain drugs like dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, and rabeprazole.
can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make the PPI less effective
Interaction result: Taking Dilantin with certain PPIs can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make the PPI less effective.
Interaction explanation: Certain PPIs can slow down the activity of an enzyme that helps break down Dilantin, causing higher levels of the drug in your system. This can increase your risk of side effects from Dilantin.
certain antidepressants
Dilantin may also speed up the activity of the enzyme that breaks down certain PPIs. This can cause the PPI to break down too quickly, potentially leading to lower levels of the PPI in your system, making it less effective.
• amitriptyline• fluoxetine (Prozac)• fluvoxamine (Luvox)• imipramine• sertraline (Zoloft)
To avoid potential interactions, tell your doctor if you're currently taking a PPI before starting Dilantin treatment. Your doctor may suggest a PPI that doesn't interact with Dilantin, or they may recommend an alternative treatment.
can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make either drug less effective
Certain antidepressants
Certain antidepressants can interact with Dilantin, increasing the risk of side effects or making the antidepressant less effective. Examples of these antidepressants include amitriptyline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, and sertraline.
certain statins
Interaction result: Taking Dilantin with certain antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make the antidepressant less effective.
• atorvastatin (Atorvaliq, Lipitor)• fluvastatin (Lescol XL)• lovastatin (Altoprev)• simvastatin (FloLipid, Zocor)
Interaction explanation: Dilantin can affect the activity of enzymes that help break down certain antidepressants.
can make the statin less effective
In some cases, Dilantin can speed up the activity of an enzyme that breaks down the antidepressant, causing lower levels of the antidepressant in your system. This can make the antidepressant less effective.
In other cases, antidepressants can slow down the activity of an enzyme that breaks down Dilantin, resulting in higher levels of Dilantin in your system. This can increase your risk of side effects from Dilantin.
certain antipsychotics
To avoid potential interactions, tell your doctor if you're currently taking an antidepressant before starting Dilantin treatment. Your doctor may adjust the dosage of the antidepressant or recommend another treatment to avoid interactions.
• aripiprazole (Abilify, Opipza, others)• brexpiprazole (Rexulti)• haloperidol (Haldol)• lurasidone (Latuda)• risperidone (Risperdal, Uzedy, others)
Dilantin and other interactions
can make the antipsychotic less effective
Dilantin may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests. Consult your healthcare professional for more information about these potential interactions.
Dilantin interactions with supplements
benzodiazepines
Dilantin can interact with caffeine supplements, which some people take to stay awake. Dilantin may cause caffeine to leave your system faster than typical, potentially making the supplements less effective.
• alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR)• chlordiazepoxide (Librium)• clonazepam (Klonopin)• diazepam (Diastat, Valium, others)• midazolam (Nayzilam, Seizalam)
Dilantin can also interact with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) supplements. Taking these products together can prevent your body from absorbing Dilantin. This can lead to lower levels of Dilantin in your system, making the drug less effective.
can increase the risk of side effects from either drug or make either drug less effective
Dilantin interactions with vitamins and minerals
Dilantin can interact with folic acid. Taking Dilantin with high doses of folic acid can cause Dilantin to leave your system faster than usual, potentially reducing Dilantin's effectiveness for seizures.
certain antiarrhythmics
Dilantin can also interact with vitamin D. Taking these products together can cause vitamin D to leave your system faster, which could potentially make the vitamin less effective.
• amiodarone (Pacerone)• dronedarone (Multaq)• mexiletine
In addition, Dilantin can interact with minerals like aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. Taking Dilantin at the same time as these minerals can make the drug less effective. It's worth noting that some multivitamins may contain minerals.
can increase the risk of side effects from Dilantin or make the antiarrhythmic less effective
Before taking any vitamin or mineral product with Dilantin, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Dilantin interactions with food
birth control pills
Dilantin may interact with feeding tube formulas. Taking the drug while receiving these formulas can make Dilantin less effective. Discuss this potential interaction with your doctor.
• ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel (Enskyce, Kariva, others)• ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel (Seasonale, Seasonique, others)• ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate (Estarylla, Sprintec, others) • norgestrel (Opill)
Although sodium bicarbonate supplements may interact with Dilantin, the amount of baking soda in food is typically small. It should be safe to consume baking soda in food during Dilantin treatment.
can make the birth control pill less effective
If you have any questions about eating certain foods during treatment with Dilantin, talk to your doctor.
Dilantin and vaccines
blood thinners
Dilantin generally doesn't interact with vaccines. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you're due for any vaccines.
• apixaban (Eliquis)• dabigatran (Pradaxa)• edoxaban (Savaysa)• rivaroxaban (Xarelto)• warfarin (Jantoven)
Dilantin interactions with lab tests
can increase the risk of side effects from the blood thinner or make the blood thinner less effective
Dilantin doesn't directly interact with any lab tests. However, the drug may have effects on the body that can impact the results of certain lab tests. These include liver function tests, thyroid function tests, blood sugar tests, and Cushing syndrome tests.
After discussing any potential interactions with your doctor, be sure to tell the person giving you the test that you're taking Dilantin.
antacids
References:
• aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox)• calcium carbonate (TUMS)• calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
[1] Drugs.com. Phenytoin: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings, and Dosing. 2021. https://www.drugs.com/drug/phenytoin.html
can make Dilantin less effective
[2] FDA. Phenytoin Sodium Tablets USP, Chewable, Capsules, Extended-release, and Oral Solution [Prescribing Information]. 2021. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/016211s053lab.pdf
can increase the risk of side effects from either drug or make either drug less effective
[3] Drugs.com. Aripiprazole: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings, and Dosing. 2021. https://www.drugs.com/drug/aripiprazole.html
other antiseizure drugs
Please note that this content is meant for informational purposes only and should not replace advice or guidance from a medical professional.
• carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol, others)• lamotrigine (Lamictal, Lamictal XR)• oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar XR, Trileptal)• phenobarbital (Sezaby)• topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR, others)
After discussing potential drug interactions with your doctor, ensure you disclose any use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or antidepressants, as they can affect Dilantin's efficacy or increase the risk of side effects. Some examples of these drugs include omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, fluoxamine, imipramine, and sertraline.
