ethotoin; 3-ethyl-5-phenyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione (Peganone)

Indications

• treatment of epilepsy (not widely used)
  • grand mal seizures
  • complex partial seizures

Dosage

• start 250 mg PO QID
• usual adult maintenace dose: 2-3 grams/day divided in 4-6 doses per day
• < 2 g/day generally ineffective in adults

Tablets: 250 mg

Adverse effects

• less gingival hyperplasia & hirsutism than phenytoin
• lymphadenopathy
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• ataxia
• gum hypertrophy
• nausea, vomiting or nausea
• other:
  • chest pain, nystagmus, diplopia, fever, dizziness, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, fatigue, numbness, skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

• drug adverse effects of anticonvulsants

Mechanism of action

• less effective than phenytoin

More general terms

• anticonvulsant