Effect of phenytoin sodium in the management of poorly controlled bronchial asthma at a rural health center in Phalodi, Rajasthan, India.

The efficacy of phenytoin (PHT) for the relief of chronic asthma was evaluated in an open trial in 190 intractable rural asthmatics. Our data indicate that phenytoin (100 mg po bid for adults and 50 mg po bid for children) is a useful antiasthmatic agent used either alone, or as adjuvant therapy. Phenytoin significantly reduced the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, coughing, nocturnal awakenings, and work absenteeism, and improved effort tolerance and subjective sense of well being. Phenytoin also reduces corticosteroid requirements of steroid-dependent patients. Not only were these results sustained over the course of 12-month treatment, but more than 60% of phenytoin-treated patients could be discontinued without recurrence of symptoms.