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Re: HELP! MY SON IS USING PHENYTOIN FOR OTHER PUPOSES » xanthophill

Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 24, 2004, at 8:18:59

In reply to HELP! MY SON IS USING PHENYTOIN FOR OTHER PUPOSES, posted by xanthophill on February 24, 2004, at 0:10:00

I do not understand why anyone would try phenytoin first for cognitive enhancement. The first three concerns you've listed are real, though at the dosage he's probably taking for cognitive enhancement, they're probably not of much concern. You never know, though, and phenytoin is a drug which, when given to epileptics, usually requires blood work to find serum levels. Everyone's body metabolizes phenytoin differently, and I feel that using phenytoin long-term without the supervision of a doctor is foolish. If your son is taking any other medications, phenytoin may speed up the rate at which they're metabolized. Hell, even taking phenobarbital (anticonvulsant barbiturate) is probably safer overall. I'm not a doctor, but I know enough to tell you that your son should consult one before taking phenytoin.

If your son is self-medicating concentration issues, take him to a psychiatrist so he can get some stimulants! Our society's concept of what is a "safe drug" is utterly warped. Very often, the "abusable" drugs have far fewer long-term side effects than the "non-abusable" ones. Alternatively, he may benefit from a mood-stabilizer.

Do not come down too hard on your son; he's just trying to give himself an edge in a tough world. Rather, ask him what he's trying to accomplish and myself, others here, and doctors--who should be consulted before using anything like phenytoin--can give you far more suitable things to try.

If he finds that phenytoin "calms" him so that he can think better, he would clearly benefit from a mood stabilizer. Two drugs which are markedly safer than phenytoin and probably more effective are Lamictal and Trileptal, both fast sodium channel blockers, like phenytoin. Supplementing with Kava Kava might work well, too, as it is also a sodium channel blocker, among other things, but have liver function tests done every once and a while with this one. Another thing to try is Pikamilon, a drug developed in Russia, which has extremely low if not nonexistent toxicity and has a calming-yet-not-sedating effect.

Best wishes, and please communicate to him, above all else, that there are far better/safer drugs than phenytoin to use for this purpose!


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