Phenobarbital vs. phenytoin for grand mal epilepsy.

Abstract	The chief side effect of phenobarbital is drowsiness, which is usually associated with overdosage. Phenytoin, on the other hand, causes gingival hyperplasia in many patients, irreversible hypertrichosis in some patients and lethal reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, in a few patients. Antiepileptic therapy should always be started with one drug. Phenytoin is specifically contraindicated as the drug of first choice for infants, females (especially adolescents) and children receiving orthodontic treatment.
Authors	S Livingston, L L Pauli, I Pruce, I I Kramer
Journal	American family physician (Am Fam Physician) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 123-7 (Aug 1980) ISSN: 0002-838X [Print] United States
PMID	6773400 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References	Anticonvulsants Phenytoin Phenobarbital
Topics	Adolescent Age Factors Anticonvulsants (administration & dosage) Child Child, Preschool Drug Administration Schedule Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic (drug therapy) Female Gingival Hyperplasia (chemically induced) Humans Hyperkinesis (chemically induced) Hypertrichosis (chemically induced) Male Methods Orthodontics, Corrective Phenobarbital (adverse effects) Phenytoin (adverse effects) Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (chemically induced)

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