Phenytoin: pharmacokinetics and clinical therapeutics

Phenytoin is a highly effective anticonvulsant medication that is considered to be the treatment of choice for generalized major motor and focal epileptic seizures. An understanding of the pharmacokinetic properties of phenytoin greatly facilitates the management of seizure patients. The judicious use of serum-monitoring techniques coupled with careful clinical evaluations enable one to obtain the optimal anticonvulsant effect, freedom from dose-related toxicity, and the avoidance of unnecessary polypharmacy.