Fosphenytoin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Fosphenytoin is an anti-epileptic agent sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for seizures and status epilepticus. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Anti-Epileptic Agent
- Treats (across its forms)
- Seizures and Status Epilepticus
- Available as
- Injectable · Solution
- Sold as
- 3 products — Fosphenytoin Sodium, Sesquient and Cerebyx
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How fosphenytoin is dosed
From the FDA label for Fosphenytoin Sodium (application ANDA077989). Other fosphenytoin products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
The dose, concentration, and infusion rate of fosphenytoin sodium injection should always be expressed as phenytoin sodium equivalents (PE) ( 2.1 ) For Status Epilepticus: Adult loading dose is 15 to 20 mg PE/kg at a rate of 100 to 150 mg PE/min ( 2.3 ) Pediatric loading dose is 15 to 20 mg PE/kg at a rate of 2 mg PE/kg/min (or 150 mg PE/min, whichever is slower) ( 2.3 ) For Non-emergent Loading and Maintenance Dosing: Adult loading dose is 10 to 20 mg PE/kg given IV or IM; initial maintenance dose is 4 to 6 mg PE/kg/day in divided doses ( 2.4 ) Pediatric loading dose is 10 to 15 mg PE/kg at a rate of 1 to 2 mg PE/kg/min (or 150 mg PE/min, whichever is slower); initial maintenance dose is 2 to 4 mg PE/kg every 12 hours at a rate of 1 to 2 mg PE/kg/min (or 100 mg PE/min, whichever is slower) ( 2.4 ) Intramuscular Administration : Fosphenytoin sodium injection should ordinarily not be given intramuscularly ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions to Avoid Dosing Errors Use caution when administering fosphenytoin sodium injection because of the risk of dosing errors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Phenytoin Sodium Equivalents (PE) The dose, concentration, and infusion rate of fosphenytoin sodium injection should always be expressed as phenytoin sodium equivalents (PE). There is no need to perform molecular weight-based adjustments when converting between…
Fosphenytoin side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Cardiovascular Risk Associated with Rapid Infusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Withdrawal Precipitated Seizure, Status Epilepticus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Serious Dermatologic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hepatic Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Hematopoietic Complications [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Sensory Disturbances [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Local Toxicity (Including Purple Glove Syndrome) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] Exacerbation of Porphyria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] Teratogenicity and Other Harm to the Newborn [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15) ] Hyperglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10%) are: Adults : pruritus, nystagmus, dizziness, somnolence, and ataxia Pediatrics : vomiting, nystagmus, and ataxia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. at 1-877-845-0689 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical…
Who shouldn’t take fosphenytoin
Fosphenytoin sodium injection is contraindicated in patients with: A history of hypersensitivity to fosphenytoin sodium injection or its inactive ingredients, or to phenytoin or other hydantoins [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] . Reactions have included angioedema. Sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree A-V block, or Adams-Stokes syndrome because of the effect of parenteral phenytoin or fosphenytoin sodium injection on ventricular automaticity. A history of prior acute hepatotoxicity attributable to fosphenytoin sodium injection or phenytoin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] . Coadministration with delavirdine because of the potential for loss of virologic response and possible resistance to delavirdine or to the class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Hypersensitivity to fosphenytoin sodium injection, its ingredients, phenytoin, hydantoins ( 4 ) Sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree A-V block, and Adams-Stokes syndrome ( 4 ) A history of prior acute hepatotoxicity attributable to fosphenytoin sodium injection or phenytoin ( 4 , 5.8 ) Coadministration with delavirdine ( 4 )
Fosphenytoin drug interactions
Fosphenytoin is extensively bound to human plasma proteins. Drugs highly bound to albumin could increase the unbound fraction of fosphenytoin. Although, it is unknown whether this could result in clinically significant effects, caution is advised when administering fosphenytoin sodium injection with other drugs that significantly bind to serum albumin. The most significant drug interactions following administration of fosphenytoin sodium injection are expected to occur with drugs that interact with phenytoin. Phenytoin is extensively bound to serum plasma proteins and is prone to competitive displacement. Phenytoin is primarily metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2C9 and to a lesser extent by CYP2C19 and is particularly susceptible to inhibitory drug interactions because it is subject to saturable metabolism. Inhibition of metabolism may produce significant increases in circulating phenytoin concentrations and enhance the risk of drug toxicity. Monitoring of phenytoin serum levels is recommended when a drug interaction is suspected. Phenytoin or fosphenytoin sodium injection is a potent inducer of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes. Multiple drug interactions because of extensive plasma protein binding, saturable metabolism, and potent induction of hepatic enzymes ( 7.1 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Drugs that Affect Phenytoin or Fosphenytoin Sodium Injection Table 6 includes commonly occurring drug interactions that affect phenytoin (the active metabolite of fosphenytoin sodium injection) concentrations. However, this list is not intended to be inclusive or comprehensive. Individual prescribing information from relevant drugs should be consulted. The addition or withdrawal of these agents in patients on phenytoin therapy may require an adjustment of the phenytoin dose to achieve optimal clinical outcome. Table 6. Drugs That Affect Phenytoin Concentrations Interacting Agent Examples Drugs that may increase phenytoin serum levels Antiepileptic drugs Ethosuximide, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, methsuximide, topiramate Azoles Fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, voriconazole Antineoplastic agents Capecitabine, fluorouracil Antidepressants Fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline Gastric acid reducing agents H 2 antagonists (cimetidine), omeprazole Sulfonamides Sulfamethizole, sulfaphenazole, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim Other Acute alcohol intake, amiodarone, chloramphenicol, chlordiazepoxide, disulfiram, estrogen, fluvastatin, isoniazid, methylphenidate, phenothiazines, salicylates, ticlopidine, tolbutamide, trazodone, warfarin Drugs that may decrease phenytoin serum levels Antineoplastic agents usually in combination Bleomycin, carboplatin, cisplatin, doxorubicin, methotrexate Antiviral agents Fosamprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir Antiepileptic drugs Carbamazepine, vigabatrin Other Chronic alcohol abuse, diazepam, diazoxide, folic acid, reserpine, rifampin, St. John's wort, a theophylline Drugs that may either increase or decrease phenytoin serum levels Antiepileptic drugs Phenobarbital, valproate sodium, valproic acid a The induction potency of St. John's wort may vary widely based on preparation. 7.2 Drugs Affected by Phenytoin or Fosphenytoin Sodium Injection Table 7 includes commonly occurring drug interactions affected by phenytoin (the active metabolite of fosphenytoin sodium injection). However, this list is not intended to be inclusive or comprehensive. Individual drug package inserts should be consulted. The addition or withdrawal of phenytoin during concomitant therapy with these agents may require adjustment of the dose of these agents to achieve optimal clinical outcome. Table 7: Drugs Affected by Phenytoin Interacting Agent Examples Drugs whose efficacy is impaired by phenytoin Azoles Fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole Antineoplastic agents Irinotecan, paclitaxel, teniposide Delavirdine Phenytoin can substantially reduce the concentrations of delavirdine. This can lead to loss of virologic response and possible resistance [see Contraindications (4) ] . Neuromuscular blocking agents Cisatracurium, pancuronium, rocuronium and vecuronium: resistance to the neuromuscular blocking action of the nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents has occurred in patients chronically administered phenytoin. Whether or not phenytoin has the same effect on other non-depolarizing agents is unknown. Prevention or Management : Patients should be monitored closely for more rapid recovery from neuromuscular blockade than expected, and infusion rate requirements may be higher. Warfarin Increased and decreased PT/INR responses have been reported when phenytoin is coadministered with warfarin. Other Corticosteroids, doxycycline, estrogens, furosemide, oral contraceptives, paroxetine, quinidine, rifampin, sertraline, theophylline, and vitamin D Drugs whose level is decreased by phenytoin Anticoagulants Apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban Antiepileptic drugs a Carbamazepine, felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine, lacosamide Antilipidemic agents Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, simvastatin Antiplatelets Ticagrelor Antiviral agents Efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir Fosamprenavir: phenytoin when given with fosamprenavir alone may decrease the concentration of amprenavir, the active metabolite. Phenytoin when given with the combination of fosamprenavir and ritonavir may increase the concentration of amprenavir Calcium channel blockers Nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, verapamil Other Albendazole (decreases active metabolite), chlorpropamide, clozapine, cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, folic acid, methadone, mexiletine, praziquantel, quetiapine a The effect of phenytoin on phenobarbital, valproic acid and sodium valproate serum levels is unpredictable. 7.3 Hyperammonemia with Concomitant Use of Valproate Concomitant administration of phenytoin and valproate has been associated with an increased risk of valproate-associated hyperammonemia. Patients treated concomitantly with these two drugs should be monitored for signs and symptoms of hyperammonemia. 7.4 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Care should be taken when using immunoanalytical methods to measure serum phenytoin concentrations following fosphenytoin sodium injection administration.
Every fosphenytoin product we track (3)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Injectable | No data | — | View → | |
| 2 | 64/100 | Prescription | Solution | No data | — | View → | |
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | No data | — | View → |
Fosphenytoin and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for fosphenytoin: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadNo information is available on the clinical use of fosphenytoin during breastfeeding. However, fosphenytoin is rapidly metabolized in the body to the active drug phenytoin. Breastfeeding during phenytoin monotherapy does not appear to adversely affect infant growth or development, and breastfed infants had higher IQs and enhanced verbal abilities than nonbreastfed infants at 6 years of age in one study. If phenytoin is required by the mother, it is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised September 15, 2024. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about fosphenytoin
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 917 reports naming fosphenytoin, and the FDA flagged 89% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- status epilepticus58 reports
- hypotension40 reports
- pyrexia36 reports
- seizure36 reports
- convulsion27 reports
- blood pressure decreased26 reports
- altered state of consciousness25 reports
- respiratory depression23 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean fosphenytoin caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved August 25, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is fosphenytoin?
Fosphenytoin Sodium is an anti-epileptic agent used to treat Seizures, Status Epilepticus.
What kind of drug is fosphenytoin?
The FDA classifies fosphenytoin as an anti-epileptic agent. Anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) drugs calm the abnormal, excessive electrical activity that triggers seizures. They do this by stabilizing overactive sodium or calcium channels in nerve cells, boosting the brain's natural calming chemical GABA, or dampening excitatory signals, which makes nerves less likely to fire uncontrollably. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take fosphenytoin with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run fosphenytoin against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is fosphenytoin sold under?
We track 3 fosphenytoin-containing products in the U.S.: Fosphenytoin Sodium, Sesquient and Cerebyx. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does fosphenytoin come in?
Across the brands we track, fosphenytoin is currently marketed as injectable and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic fosphenytoin?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic fosphenytoin product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Fosphenytoin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/fosphenytoin
- MLA
- “Fosphenytoin: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/fosphenytoin.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for fosphenytoin on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.