Single high dose of intravenous phenytoin sodium for the treatment of eclampsia.

Phenytoin sodium was administered intravenously as a single 900 mg dose in 33 consecutive women with eclampsia immediately on admission. No untoward effects were observed either in the mother or subsequently in the neonate. Since the patient's level of consciousness is unaltered by the drug, it could be monitored serially as part of neurological assessment. The risks of pulmonary aspiration, respiratory depression and airway obstruction arising from deep sedation which occurs with standard regimens, were averted. Control of convulsions was adequate without the need for any complicated drug related patient monitoring.