Epilepsy drug should be avoided during pregnancy
-Reuters Health
04/29/2009 - Guidelines released this week recommend that women with epilepsy should avoid taking the anti-epilepsy drug valproate during pregnancy, because of the risk of harmful effects to the fetus. More>>>

Common Anti-Seizure Medications May Increase Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
-Newswise
03/18/2009 - An important clinical repercussion in the treatment of epilepsy has been discovered by a research team led by Scott Mintzer, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and the Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. The team has determined that two of the most commonly prescribed anti-seizure medications may lead to significantly increased levels of cholesterol, C-reactive protein and other markers of cardiovascular disease risk. More>>>

"Did Dilantin SJS Kill My Husband?"
-LawyersandSettlements
02/27/2009- David was prescribed Dilantin because "he was confused and couldn't get his words out," says his wife, Sandra. Dilantin is an epileptic drug that is typically used to control seizures and David's doctor thought he might be experiencing seizures. Instead, David suffered horrific skin problems and died just a few months later from other complications. David's neurologist said he had an allergic reaction to the drug; he likely developed Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome. More>>>

SJS Dilantin: "My Wife's Pain and Suffering was Avoidable"
-LawyersandSettlements
01/18/2009- Essex, ON: Kevin's wife Jennifer was prescribed Dilantin one year ago to control her epileptic seizures. She had taken the pills for about three weeks when the first signs of SJS Dilantin were noticed. More>>>

FDA: Antiepileptics Linked to Increased Risk of Suicidal Thoughts, Behavior
-DG News
12/17/2008- ROCKVILLE, Maryland -- The US Food and Drug Administration has announced today that it will require the manufacturers of antiepileptic drugs to add to these products' prescribing information, or labeling, a warning that their use increases risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. More>>>

Mother with SJS put into a Coma
-LawyersandSettlements
12/14/2008- St. John's, NL: On November 27, 2008 Kim Oake was put into an induced coma in the ICU unit because the pain of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis, also known as TEN, is too excruciating to bear. Kim had an allergic reaction to a run-of-the-mill antibiotic. Adverse reactions to a drug, either prescribed or over-the-counter, is the main cause of SJS. And the most common drugs have been linked to this horrific disease, including ibuprofen (Advil and Children's Motrin), Ketek, Dilantin, anti-convulsants and antibiotics such as penicillin. More>>>

Skin Blisters and Bleeding for Some Asian Patients on Epilepsy Drug
-MedIndia
11/28/2008- Epileptic medications such as Dilantin, Phenytek and Cerebyx have reportedly caused skin blisters and bleeding for some Asian patients. Following such reports, The FDA has begun to keenly monitor these drugs. More>>>

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Linked to Dilantin, Phenytek and Cerebyx
-AboutLawsuits
11/25/2008- The FDA warned Monday that some Asians who carry a certain gene, could face an increased risk of suffering from a severe skin reaction known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), after taking the epilepsy drugs Dilantin, Phenytek or Cerebyx. More>>>

FDA Investigates Genetic Link to Phenytoin Skin Reactions
-Medscape
11/25/2008- Patients positive for the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele HLA-B*1502 may be at increased risk for phenytoin-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), the US Food and Drug Administration announced today. More>>>

FDA Warns of Skin Reactions from Phenytoin Use in Patients with HLA Allele
- MedPageToday
11/24/2008- Using the antiepileptic drug phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) to treat Asian patients with a particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele could increase the risk of serious skin reactions, according to the FDA. More>>>