Drug Shortage Alert: Pfizer Announces DILANTIN® 30 mg (Extended Phenytoin Sodium Capsules, USP) Shortage

The Epilepsy Foundation has learned that Pfizer is contacting health care professionals, including pharmacists, about a shortage of DILANTIN 30 mg. According to Pfizer, this product shortage is due to a manufacturing issue and not the result of any performance or safety concerns. The company expects DILANTIN 30 mg to be available to patients by June 30, 2011.

The DILANTIN 30 mg product is used by a limited number of people, so check your prescription bottle to see if you might be affected by this shortage. The Epilepsy Foundation’s medical experts recommend that you contact your physician immediately if you use this product. Please keep in mind that any change to your therapy should be done only at the direction of your physician.

DILANTIN 30 mg is a prescription medicine used to treat tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures, complex partial (psychomotor or temporal lobe) seizures, and to prevent and treat seizures that happen during or after brain surgery. The following DILANTIN formulations are still available through normal channels:

  • DILANTIN INFATABS® (Phenytoin Tablets, USP) 50 mg
  • DILANTIN-125® (Phenytoin Oral Suspension, USP) 125 mg
  • DILANTIN® (Extended Phenytoin Sodium Capsules, USP) 100 mg

If you have any questions, please contact Pfizer Medical Information at 1-800-438-1985.
The Epilepsy Foundation will maintain close communication with Pfizer in order to keep you informed and obtain the most accurate timeline on when this shortage will be resolved.