Fosphenytoin

Fosphenytoin is a water-soluble phenytoin prodrug used only in hospitals for the treatment of epileptic seizures. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Its main mechanism is to block frequency-dependent, use-dependent and voltage-dependent neuronal sodium channels, and therefore limit repetitive firing of action potentials.

Fosphenytoin is indicated for the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus and for the prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during neurosurgery in adult patients. It can also be substituted, short-term, for oral phenytoin in patients aged two years and older when oral phenytoin administration is not possible.