University of Maryland School of Medicine logo
Emergency Medicine
All Departments
UMSOM Assistant
UMEM Educational Pearls
  • Home
  • Departments
  • Emergency Medicine
  • CME
  • UMEM Educational Pearls
  • CME
  • Courses and Conferences
  • Free Open Access Medical Education
  • UMEM Educational Pearls

Search

Title: Fosphenytoin versus Phenytoin

Category: Neurology

Keywords: fosphenytoin, phenytoin, dilantin, seizure (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/3/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

** Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) is a pro-drug of Phenytoin (Dilantin).

** Differences between fosphenytoin and phenytoin are primarily due to fosphenytoin being more water soluble.
 

Fosphenytoin versus Phenytoin:
•     Fosphenytoin  >  less risk for cardiac-related adverse effects (propylene glycol not required for solubilization)
•     Fosphenytoin >  lower risk of local skin and subcutaneous irritation during infusion 
•     Fosphenytoin > can be given intramuscularly
•     Fosphenytoin >  can be infused at a faster rate (20 mg/kg phenytoin equivalents (PE’s) load at a rate of 100 to 150   mg of PE’s/minute) due to its safer side/adverse effects profile.


University of Maryland School of Medicine logo
  • Departments
  • Programs
  • Research Centers
  • Institutes
  • Graduate Education
  • CIBR Cores
  • Offices of the Dean
    • University of Maryland, Baltimore
    • University of Maryland Medical Center
    • Medical Alumni Association of the University of Maryland
    • Health Sciences and Human Services Library
University of Maryland School of Medicine
655 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Contact Us

© University of Maryland School of Medicine

    • Webmaster
    • Web Accessibility
    • Site Index
    • UMB Hotline
    • Employment
    • Map