Phenytoin toxicity due to fluoropyrimidines (5FU/capecitabine): three case reports
2003
Phenytoin Toxicity from Chemotherapy
Sample size: 3
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): K. Brickell, D. Porter, P. Thompson
Primary Institution: Auckland Hospital
Hypothesis
Is there a drug interaction between phenytoin and fluoropyrimidines that leads to toxicity?
Conclusion
The study suggests that phenytoin toxicity can occur with concurrent use of 5FU or capecitabine.
Supporting Evidence
- The patients had stable phenytoin doses for years before chemotherapy.
- Phenytoin levels increased significantly after starting chemotherapy.
- Symptoms of toxicity resolved after reducing phenytoin doses.
Takeaway
Some cancer treatments can make a medicine called phenytoin unsafe, causing people to feel very sick.
Methodology
Case reports of three patients experiencing phenytoin toxicity during chemotherapy.
Potential Biases
Potential biases in patient selection and reporting of symptoms.
Limitations
The small number of cases limits the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Three patients: two men aged 60 and 65, and one woman aged 45, all with a history of epilepsy.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website