Phenytoin C6 for disorders of gum growth
By Ulrich Welte
Phenytoin, also called Phenhydan, is used to treat epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias. A very common adverse effect is gingival hyperplasia, an overgrowth of the gums. According to Arznei‑Telegramm[1] (independent of financial influences from the pharmaceutical industry, without advertising, reliable assessment) this side effect occurs in 30–70% of cases, especially in young patients on high doses.
When a relatively rare disorder occurs so frequently with a drug, then with high probability this is a homeopathic indication – the symptomatology is specifically characteristic for the remedy and it can be used according to the principle of similarity in a homeopathically potentiated form for this clinical picture.
This simple form of homeopathy has been common practice since Constantin Hering. For example, the remedy Glonoinum was found this way, effective for explosive, pressing and throbbing headaches. Glonoinum is potentiated nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is established in conventional medicine for treating angina pectoris, but as a frequent side effect it produced pressing headaches, which led to the term "nitrate headache". It is used homeopathically against this kind of headache when it occurs without ingestion of nitrate-containing substances, for example symptomatically in cluster headache.
A case of epilepsy in a toddler with gum overgrowth
With this idea I first gave the remedy Phenytoin C 6, five globules daily, 12 years ago to a critically ill toddler whose upper gums overgrew the teeth so much that they were no longer visible.
He had already undergone a kidney transplant as an infant and had permanent damage to the adrenal cortex. He also had high blood pressure that was only poorly controlled with the latest antihypertensives. With Aalserum, Serum anguillae D12, twice daily 10 globules (another "proven indication" for renal insufficiency with hypertension), the antihypertensive drugs could be stopped and the blood pressure remained normal with continued daily intake of Ser‑ang. Later the boy developed epileptic seizures that were treated with carbamazepine, 400 mg daily.
The combination of epilepsy and gum overgrowth led to a trial of Phenytoin C6, because the remedy is used in epilepsy and produces gingival hyperplasia as an "undesired" effect incidentally, which surprisingly helped very well. Within 3–4 days the overgrowth receded; after a week the incisors were visible again, the boy generally felt better, his persistent low-grade fever (around 38°C) ceased, and his development improved. A year later I heard that the gum overgrowth had not recurred. They had long since stopped the remedy.
A case of insufficient gum regrowth after implants
The previous observation in gum overgrowth led me to try it also in the opposite situation, i.e. in inadequate gum regrowth following dental procedures.
A patient in her early seventies, still fairly sprightly; she likes to hear herself talk, is somewhat expansive, and enjoys singing. She only occasionally complains of dizziness and had once suffered a muscle tear for no apparent reason. She had undergone three dental operations and the implants were due to be placed soon, but this was repeatedly delayed because the gum did not properly regrow. After the third procedure it was particularly poor, and the planned placement of the teeth was postponed again and again. She also recovered only slowly this time, and the gum simply would not regrow.
A trial with Phenytoin C6, 3 x 10 globules daily, in the thought that the remedy has a specific relationship to gum growth – so not only with excessive growth but perhaps also with inhibited growth. And it helped. After two months she phoned: the gum had recovered and the new teeth fitted and held, and the jawbones had become stronger. The dentist was very pleased, and so was she. A further two months later the result was perfect. The dentist was interested and wanted to know what she had taken. Later she told me that he now often uses it himself for implants so that the gum grows better, and that she asked me to convey her regards, despite them being strangers.
PS: if this indication should be confirmed, we would be pleased to receive a message, for example in the form of a comment under Homeonews.
We intend to continue the CLINICAL TIPS as a contribution to Homeonews in future approximately every two weeks. The proven indications are a valuable complement to homeopathy and provide an easy introduction for many. We would welcome feedback.
The remedy is available from Remedia.
