Mephenytoin (Noun)
Meaning
A toxic anticonvulsant drug (trade name Mesantoin) used in the treatment of epilepsy when less toxic anticonvulsants have been ineffective.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The neurologist carefully weighed the risks and benefits of prescribing mephenytoin to her patient due to its potential toxicity.
- Due to its efficacy in controlling seizures, mephenytoin was considered a viable option for the patient who had not responded to other treatments.
- Mephenytoin, a second-line anticonvulsant, is only used when the risks of uncontrolled seizures outweigh its own toxicity risks.
- A rare side effect of mephenytoin is hepatitis, so patients taking this medication require regular liver function tests.
- While mephenytoin has been largely replaced by safer alternatives, it remains an option for some patients with refractory epilepsy.