Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules 25mg

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules
3. How to take Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• if you are allergic to Phenytoin, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you are allergic to other medicines with a similar chemical structure to Phenytoin (e.g. hydantoins).

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules.

Medicines are not always suitable for everyone. Your doctor needs to know before you take Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules if you suffer from or have suffered in the past from any of the following conditions:

• Liver disease.
• Kidney disease.
• Porphyria (an inherited disease that affects haemoglobin biosynthesis).

The following symptoms have been reported in some people treated with phenytoin at recommended doses:

• shortness of breath, becoming unconscious, or unresponsive. All can be the symptoms of the sudden, unexpected stopping of the heart (known as cardiac arrest). If you or someone you know is taking Phenytoin and experiencing these symptoms, seek immediate medical support.
• severe allergic reactions like swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth and / or throat, as well as the tongue may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing (known as angioedema) and sudden wheeziness.
  All these can be symptoms leading to a sudden, unexpected stopping of the heart (known as cardiac arrest). Stop taking your medicine and seek immediate medical help.
• slower heartbeat (known as bradycardia).

A small number of people being treated with antiepileptics such as phenytoin sodium have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If at any time you have these thoughts, immediately contact your doctor.

Potentially life-threatening skin rashes (Stevens- Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) have been reported with the use of Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules, appearing initially as reddish target-like spots or circular patches often with central blisters on the trunk. Additional signs to look for include ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, genitals and conjunctivitis (red and swollen eyes). These potentially life-threatening skin rashes are often accompanied by flu-like symptoms, including fever at the initiation of treatment. The rash may progress to widespread blistering or peeling of the skin. The highest risk for occurrence of serious skin reactions is within the first weeks of treatment. If you have developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis with the use of Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules, you must not be re-started on Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules at any time.

If you develop a rash or these skin symptoms, stop taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules, seek urgent advice from a doctor and tell them that you are taking this medicine. Consult your doctor before permanently discontinuing Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules. If you suddenly stop taking this medicine you may have a seizure.

Talk to you doctor before taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules if you are of Taiwanese, Japanese, Malaysian or Thai origin and tests have shown that you carry the genetic variant CYP2C9*3.

Serious skin side effects can rarely occur during treatment with Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules. This risk may be associated with a variant in genes in a subject with Chinese or Thai origin. If you are of such origin and have been tested previously carrying this genetic variant (HLA-B*1502), discuss this with your doctor before taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules.

There is a risk of harm to the unborn child if Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules are used during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception during treatment with Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules (see Pregnancy, contraception in women and breast-feeding).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Some medicines can affect the way Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules work and Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules themselves can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time. These include:

• Medicines used for heart and circulation problems (amiodarone, digoxin, furosemide, reserpine, ticagrelor, warfarin, calcium channel blockers e.g. diltiazem, mexiletine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, disopyramide and verapamil)
• Medicines used to lower blood cholesterol, (e.g. atorvastatin, fluvastatin and simvastatin)
• Medicines used for epilepsy (carbamazepine, lacosamide, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, sodium valproate, topiramate and valproic acid, succinimides e.g. ethosuximide and vigabatrin)
• Medicines used to treat fungal infections (e.g. amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole)
• Medicines used for tuberculosis and other infections (chloramphenicol, clarithromycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, sulphonamides, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, ritonavir and saquinavir)
• Medicines used for stomach ulcers (omeprazole, sucralfate, the medicines known as H₂ antagonists e.g. cimetidine and some antacids)
• Medicines used for asthma and bronchitis (theophylline)
• Medicines used for pain and inflammation (salicylates e.g.aspirin and steroids)
• Medicines used for sleeplessness, depression and psychiatric disorders (chlordiazepoxide, clozapine, diazepam, disulfiram, fluoxetine, methylphenidate, paroxetine, phenothiazines, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants, fluvoxamine, quetiapine, and sertraline)
• Medicines used for diabetes (tolbutamide).
• Some hormone replacement therapies (oestrogens), oral contraceptives (the birth control pill)
• Medicines used for organ and tissue transplants, to prevent rejection (ciclosporin and tacrolimus)
• Medicines used for cancer (antineoplastic agents, e.g.bleomycin, capecitabine, carboplatin, cisplatin, doxorubicin, fluorouracil and methotrexate)
• Muscle relaxants used for surgery (neuromuscular blockers), some anaesthetic drugs (methadone)
• Medicines used as anticoagulants (e.g. rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban, edoxaban)
• Some products available without a prescription (folic acid, theophylline, St John’s Wort, vitamin D).

Your doctor may need to test the amount of Phenytoin in your blood to help decide if any of these medicines are affecting your treatment.

The herbal preparation St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) should not be taken at the same time as this medicine. If you already take St John’s wort, consult your doctor before stopping the St John’s Wort preparation.

Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules may also interfere with certain laboratory tests that you may be given.

Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules can be taken before or after food and drinks. Drinking a lot of alcohol can also affect the concentration of Phenytoin in your blood.

Pregnancy

What you should know about the use of antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy

If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, you must tell your doctor straight away and discuss possible risks the epilepsy medicine you are taking might pose to your unborn baby.

If you are planning to become pregnant you should discuss your epilepsy treatment with your doctor as early as possible before you become pregnant.

You should not stop your treatment without discussing this with your doctor. Suddenly stopping may lead to breakthrough seizures which may harm you and your unborn baby. It is important that your epilepsy is well controlled.

Taking phenytoin during pregnancy increases the chance that the baby may have a physical birth abnormality.

Studies with women treated with phenytoin for epilepsy during pregnancy have shown that around 6 babies in every 100 will have serious physical birth abnormalities. This compares to 2-3 babies in every 100 born to women who don’t have epilepsy.

The most common types of serious physical birth abnormalities (major congenital malformations) reported for phenytoin include abnormalities of the lip and palate, heart, skull, nail and finger disorders and growth abnormalities. Some of these may occur together as part of a fetal hydantoin syndrome.

Taking more than one epilepsy medicine at the same time may also increase the risk of physical birth abnormalities. Where possible, your doctor will consider using one epilepsy medicine only to control your epilepsy.

Your doctor may advise you to take folic acid if you’re planning to become pregnant and while you’re pregnant. Your doctor may adjust your epilepsy medicine when you take folic acid.

Some studies observed that taking phenytoin during pregnancy increases the chance that the baby may have problems affecting learning and thinking abilities.

If you take Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules during pregnancy, your baby is also at risk for bleeding problems right after birth. Your doctor may give you and your baby a medicine to prevent this. Moreover, your child should be closely monitored.

Contraception in women

If you are a woman of childbearing age and are not planning a pregnancy, you should use effective contraception during treatment with Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules. Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules may affect how hormonal contraceptives, such as the contraceptive (birth control) pill, work and make them less effective at preventing pregnancy. Talk to your doctor, who will discuss with you the most suitable type of contraception to use while you are taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules.

Breast-feeding

Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules passes into breast milk. You should not take Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules if you are breastfeeding.

Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules may cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or use any tools or machinery.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially “sodium free”.

The amount of Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules needed varies from one person to another. Most adults need between 200mg and 500mg a day either as a single or divided dose. Occasionally higher doses are needed.

Infants and children usually start on a dose that depends on their weight (5mg per day for every kg they weigh) and is given as a divided dose, twice a day. The dose is then adjusted up to a maximum of 300mg a day.

The dose of Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules for elderly patients, patients with kidney or liver disease, or those who may be taking other medicines may also need careful consideration and adjustment by their doctor.

Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules are dangerous in overdose. If you accidentally take too much Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules contact your doctor at once or go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Always take the labelled medicine package with you, whether there are any Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules left or not.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Do not stop taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules unless your doctor tells you to. If you suddenly stop taking this medicine you may have a seizure. Should you need to stop taking Phenytoin Sodium Flynn Hard Capsules, your doctor will have decided which is the best method for you.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

• The active substance is phenytoin sodium.
• The other capsule contents are lactose monohydrate and magnesium stearate.
• The capsule shells contain gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide (E171), patent blue V (E131) and erythrosine (E127).
• The printing ink contains the following: shellac, black iron oxide (E172) and propylene glycol.

Phenytoin Sodium Flynn 25mg Hard Capsules are half white and half purple hard capsules marked with “Epanutin 25” and available in packs containing 28 or 500 capsules. The capsules are packed in a plastic container which contains a desiccant. The desiccant should not be eaten.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.