Phenytoin is used as both an abortive and preventive medication in seizure management. Intravenous administration of phenytoin ceased seizure activity in 60%-80% of patients in status epilepticus within 20 minutes. Prophylactic indications include pregnancy-induced hypertension, postneurosurgery, cerebrovascular accidents, and traumatic brain injury. Of these, there is inconsistent evidence to support the routine use of phenytoin in patients who have undergone craniectomy.
Less-common uses of phenytoin include the treatment of neuropathic pain, motion sickness, muscular dystrophy, and arrhythmia.
