Lithium Citrate Syrup and Phenytoin Sodium

• Generic Name: lithium
• Dosage Forms: oral syrup
• Other Brand Names: Lithobid, Eskalith, Lithonate, Lithotabs, Eskalith-CR

Lithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania.

Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger.

Lithium also helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of manic episodes.

• Generic Name: phenytoin
• Dosage Forms: injection, solution
• Other Brand Names: Dilantin, Dilantin Infatabs, Phenytek, Phenytoin Sodium, Prompt

Management of generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures.

Management of partial seizures with complex symptomatology (psychomotor and temporal lobe seizures).

Not recommended for treatment of pure absence (petit mal) seizures since the drug may increase frequency of these seizures, but may be used in conjunction with other anticonvulsants when mixed seizure types are present.

Prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during and following neurosurgery.

Used IV for treatment of status epilepticus; however, use may be limited by its slow onset of action and need for slow administration.

Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam) are considered drugs of choice for initial treatment of status epilepticus; IV phenytoin (or fosphenytoin) may be used as a second-line agent if seizures continue.

Concurrent administration with an IV benzodiazepine or short-acting barbiturate will usually be necessary for rapid control of seizures.

Fosphenytoin appears to be better tolerated than phenytoin, and some experts state that fosphenytoin is preferred when both drugs are available.

Has been used IV for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly ventricular arrhythmias, in patients who do not respond to conventional antiarrhythmic agents or cardioversion. However, current use as an antiarrhythmic agent is limited by the drug's narrow therapeutic window, multiple drug interactions, and adverse effect profile.

Has been used IV for treatment of arrhythmias caused by cardiac glycoside intoxication, especially in the presence of AV block, because the drug improves conduction through the AV node.