Both Dilantin and fish oil have more than one medical use. Dilantin, the brand name of phenytoin in the United States, typically is administered to control seizures, either in epileptics or people undergoing brain surgery, MayoClinic.com states. Doctors frequently recommend the over-the-counter fish oil supplements for people with high triglyceride levels. Yet both of these substances may work as mood stabilizers for people suffering from bipolar disorder.
Dilantin Benefits
Dilantin works in your brain to reduce the speed of nerve impulses that can trigger seizures, in particular, convulsions, , Drugs.com notes. Seizures can take many forms, from vaguely staring and "zoning out" to full-out twisting and jerking bodily motions known as convulsions. Convulsions occur because of an electrical imbalance in your brain. You may suffer a range of seizures as an epileptic. You also may become susceptible to having convulsions if you have brain surgery procedures. Your doctor may prescribe this drug, known as an anticonvulsant, to help get seizures under control. But it may not work for all types of seizures, Drugs.com notes.
Fish Oil Benefits
Physicians may recommend the use of a fish-oil supplement if your triglyceride levels become too high. Triglycerides, or fatty acids, make up a third of cholesterol along with low-density and high-density lipoproteins. Triglycerides and LDL typically are known as "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides specifically cause arterial problems because they produce accumulating material inside your arteries. These can block portions of your arteries, sending your blood pressure higher and leading to the potential of heart attacks, heart disease, hardening of the arteries and strokes. Fish oil, also known as omega-3-acid ethyl esters, diminish the triglyceride levels and help to remove fatty build-up in your blood vessels.
Dilantin Side Effects
When you use Dilantin, you run the risk of several possible serious side effects, MayoClinic.com states. The anticonvulsant medicine can make it difficult for you to think clearly and you may become confused even about simple everyday tasks. Drugs.com notes that this medication can produce hallucinations, whether of a visual, auditory or sensory nature. Despite Dilantin's use as an anticonvulsant, it can cause convulsions as a side effect. The drug may cause a slurring of your speech and it may make it difficult for you to coordinate your movements and maintain your normal balance. Speak with your practitioner immediately if these or other potentially serious side effects occur.
Fish Oil Side Effects
Apart from minor and temporary side effects such as an upset stomach, belching and experiencing a fish-like taste, fish-oil supplements also may produce a negative interaction with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin. Fish oil can sometimes make your heart beat irregularly. And it may produce flu-like symptoms. These serious side effects need medical attention, so discontinue your fish oil use and talk with your physician immediately.
Bipolar Disorder
Both Dilantin and fish oil may help stabilize your moods if you suffer from bipolar disorder. ScienceDaily reports that phenytoin has shown positive results in studies to help stabilize the drastic up and down mood swings common to people with bipolar disorder. The website states that other anticonvulsant medications also have shown promise in this area. Fish oil tablets were shown in a 1999 controlled trial to maintain mood stability, reports Dr. James Phelps in Psycheduction.org. Dr. Phelps notes that it takes a while for omega-3s to show an effect. However, they have fewer side effects than traditional medicines.
Interactions
Dilantin and fish oil do not have any reported interactions. Note that taking them together may produce adverse reactions previously unseen in patients. Speak in detail with your doctor about taking Dilantin and fish oil supplements together before doing it.
References
- Drugs.com: Fish Oil (Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids) Drug Interactions
- Psycheducation.org; Mood Stabilizers; An Updated List and Links; Jim Phelps; January 2009
- ScienceDaily; Antiepileptic Drug Phenytoin as a Mood Stabilizer?; April 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Phenytoin (Oral Route); August 2011
- Psycheducation.org; Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Including Fish Oil); Jim Phelps; January 2011
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