Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. How does Phenos work?
Phenos is used to control seizures (fits) in epilepsy patients and it works by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Q. Does Phenos cause gingival hyperplasia?
Phenos is known to cause gingival hyperplasia (enlarged gums). To avoid this, you must maintain a good dental hygiene (taking proper care of your teeth and gums). Please consult your doctor if you have enlarged gums after taking Phenos.
Q. Does Phenos cause osteomalacia?
Osteomalacia (softening of the bones) has been associated with long-term (>10 years) use of Phenos by patients with chronic epilepsy. There have been reports of bone disorders including osteopenia (reduced protein and mineral content of bone tissue) and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone) and fractures with Phenos. Please consult your doctor for further information.
Q. Can I take Phenos with aspirin?
Phenos can decrease the levels of aspirin by increasing its metabolism (breakdown) and hence decrease its effect. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Can I take Phenos with ibuprofen?
Phenos can be taken with ibuprofen. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Can I take Phenos with paracetamol?
Phenos decreases the level of paracetamol by increasing its metabolism (breakdown). Increased metabolism of paracetamol can increase the levels of substances that can cause liver damage. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.
Q. Is Phenos a narcotic?
Phenos is not a narcotic substance. Phenos belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-epileptic medicines, these medicines are used to treat epilepsy.
Q. Is Phenos a controlled substance?
Phenos is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession or use is regulated by a government.
Q. Is Phenos dialyzable?
Phenos is not dialyzable by a conventional hemodialysis machine but can be dialyzed by a high permeability type of hemodialysis. To know more about the different types of dialysis and dialysability of Phenos, please consult your doctor.
Q. Is Phenos teratogenic (cause birth defects)?
Phenos is teratogenic. Based on human experience, Phenos is suggested to cause congenital malformations (birth defects) when given during pregnancy. It can cause defects of the heart, brain, fingers and can decrease the growth of the unborn baby.
Q. Is Phenos a cytochrome P450 (CYP450) inducer?
Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is an enzyme which causes metabolism (breakdown) of many drugs. Phenos is a CYP450 enzyme inducer (increases the working of CYP450) causing increased breakdown of some medicines given along with Phenos (known as drug-drug interactions). Please consult your doctor before taking any medicines along with Phenos as it may affect the metabolism of the medicines which are metabolized by CYP450 for example Vitamin D.
Q. Is Phenos basic or acidic?
Phenos is a weakly acidic drug.
Q. Is Phenos addictive?
Phenos has not been reported to have any addictive potential and it does not show any symptoms of dependence. However, it should be taken for the duration as advised by your doctor.
Q. Does Phenos get you high?
Phenos does not give you a high.
Q. Does Phenos cause hyponatremia?
Phenos does not cause hyponatremia (low sodium levels). However, Phenos is known to cause hypernatremia (high serum sodium level >145 mmol/L).
Q. Does Phenos cause QT prolongation?
Phenos is not known to cause QT prolongation (abnormal heart rhythm). However, it can rarely cause abnormal heart rhythms. Please talk to your doctor if you have any abnormal heart rhythm (beats) while taking Phenos.
Q. Does Phenos affect thyroid?
Thyroid function may get affected while you are taking Phenos, especially in children. Thyroid function should be monitored while taking Phenos. Please consult your doctor if you have hypothyroidism or a history of hypothyroidism.
Q. Does Phenos cause weight gain?
Phenos has not been reported to cause weight gain. However, weight loss can occur with longer term use of a higher dose of Phenos. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight gain after taking Phenos.
Q. Does Phenos make you sleepy (sedation)?
Phenos can make you feel sleepy (sedation, somnolence, and drowsiness). Please consult your doctor if you feel very sleepy after taking Phenos, especially during the first few weeks of treatment or following a dose increase. Talk to your doctor as you may be advised not to drive or use machines until it is established that your ability to perform such activities is not affected.
Q. Does Phenos affect birth control?
Phenos does affect birth control. Phenos can decrease the effect of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) which can make the contraceptive (birth control) effect unreliable. Please talk to your doctor if you are asked to take the two medicines together as you may need to use extra protection for birth control.Show moreShow less
