Fosphenytoin in infants

J Child Neurol. 1998 Nov;13(11):537-40. doi: 10.1177/088307389801301102.

Abstract

In comparison with phenytoin preparations, which have a pH value of 11, fosphenytoin, a phosphorylated prodrug of phenytoin, has a pH value of only 8.6, which decreases the risk of cardiovascular and cutaneous side effects. The near-neutral pH value of fosphenytoin allows effective intravenous or intramuscular administration. A 1-mg phenytoin equivalent (PE) of fosphenytoin is converted to 1 mg of phenytoin in adults. We describe four infants whose seizures were treated with intravenous fosphenytoin. We had difficulty maintaining therapeutic serum phenytoin levels of 10 to 20 microg/mL on doses of 5 to 8 mgPE/kg/day, and many bolus doses of 5 to 10 mgPE/kg or maintenance doses of more than 10 mgPE/kg/day were given. Despite increased doses in three out of the four patients, a therapeutic serum phenytoin level was not maintained. From our experience, careful and individual dosing of fosphenytoin in this age group can be considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / blood
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Phenobarbital / therapeutic use
  • Phenytoin / administration & dosage
  • Phenytoin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phenytoin / blood
  • Phenytoin / therapeutic use*
  • Prodrugs / administration & dosage
  • Prodrugs / therapeutic use*
  • Seizures / blood
  • Seizures / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Prodrugs
  • Phenytoin
  • fosphenytoin
  • Phenobarbital