Fosphenytoin and Phenytoin interaction

Fosphenytoin and Phenytoin: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.

Major

Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.

What the FDA labels say

From the Fosphenytoin (CEREBYX) label · effective 2025-08-28

Major

WARNING: CARDIOVASCULAR RISK ASSOCIATED WITH RAPID INFUSION RATES The rate of intravenous CEREBYX administration should not exceed 150 mg phenytoin sodium equivalents (PE) per minute in adults and 2 mg PE/kg/min (or 150 mg PE/min, whichever is slower) in pediatric patients because of the risk of severe hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias.

Boxed warningnames PhenytoinView label on DailyMed
Major

• The rate of intravenous CEREBYX administration should not exceed 150 mg phenytoin sodium equivalents (PE) per minute in adults and 2 mg PE/kg/min (or 150 mg PE/min, whichever is slower) in pediatric patients because of the risk of severe hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias.

Boxed warningnames PhenytoinView label on DailyMed
Major

CEREBYX is contraindicated in patients with: • A history of hypersensitivity to CEREBYX or its inactive ingredients, or to phenytoin or other hydantoins [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] .

Contraindicationsnames PhenytoinView label on DailyMed
Major

• Sinus bradycardia, sino-atrial block, second and third degree A-V block, or Adams-Stokes syndrome because of the effect of parenteral phenytoin or CEREBYX on ventricular automaticity.

Contraindicationsnames PhenytoinView label on DailyMed
Major

• A history of prior acute hepatotoxicity attributable to CEREBYX or phenytoin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .

Contraindicationsnames PhenytoinView label on DailyMed

From the Phenytoin label · effective 2024-12-24

Moderate

Limited evidence suggests that HLA-B*1502 may be a risk factor for the development of SJS/TEN in patients of Asian ancestry taking other antiepileptic drugs associated with SJS/TEN, including phenytoin.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

…defects), and abnormalities characteristic of fetal hydantoin syndrome, including dysmorphic skull and facial features, nail and digit hypoplasia, growth abnormalities (including microcephaly), and cognitive deficits, have been reported among children born to epileptic women who took phenytoin alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.