Medications

[Yorkie2]

I am currently being switched from Dilantin (300 mg daily) to Neurontin.  Can you explain to me why blood tests are not required to check Dilantin and Neurontin levels during this period?  How will I know that I am totally protected once I am off Dilantin and on the maintenance dose of Neurontin?  I did have an EEG recently and it still showed abnormal activity, but no spikes were evident, just sharp waves.  It also showed that I have not had a seizure.  I had a ruptured brain aneurysm 10/17/2002 and subsequent coiling of that aneurysm and did have hydrocephalis which alleviated itself so did not have to have a permanent shunt.  6 months later I had another coiling on a nonruptured aneurysm and still have one aneurysm that was too small for coiling.  I'll be scheduled for a followup angiogram in late summer of this year.  Thank you for your time.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Neurontin levels are not followed like Dilantin levels, because the range of levels which controls seizures is much larger. They can be checked, and used as a guide, but this is not common practice. A good dose of Neurontin for seizure prevention is most likely 1800mg per day or higher. Since the Dilantin is being stopped, there is no need to check a level. I hope this helps. Good luck.