What it means
A water-soluble form of phenytoin that can be given IV faster and with less harm to veins than phenytoin itself, or IM. It is used for status epilepticus and to prevent seizures after brain injury or surgery when the client cannot take drugs by mouth. Doses are written in phenytoin equivalents (PE). Its boxed warning says that giving it too fast can cause low blood pressure and dangerous heart rhythms.
For the nurse
Give IV no faster than the rate set in the order and policy (no more than 150 mg PE per minute in adults), with continuous heart monitoring and frequent blood pressure checks. Watch the IV site. Phenytoin levels are checked after the dose. Cerebyx is easily confused with Celebrex and Celexa.
At a glance
| Drug class | anticonvulsant (hydantoin) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Cerebyx |
| Abbreviations | PE (phenytoin equivalents) |
| Spanish | fosfenitoína |
| Also written | Cerebyx |
Easy to confuse with
celecoxib
An NSAID drug that targets the COX-2 enzyme, used for arthritis pain and inflammation and for short-term pain.
citalopram
An SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression.
Related terms
seizure
A sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that changes movement, feeling, behavior or awareness.
levetiracetam
An anticonvulsant drug, given by mouth or IV, used to prevent and treat seizures.
lamotrigine
An anticonvulsant drug used to prevent seizures and to keep mood stable in bipolar disorder.