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Pegoanone: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Pegoanone - General Information

Pegoanone is a hydantoin derivative and anticonvulsant. Pegoanone exerts an antiepileptic effect without causing general central nervous system depression. The mechanism of action is probably very similar to that of phenytoin. The latter drug appears to stabilize rather than to raise the normal seizure threshold, and to prevent the spread of seizure activity rather than to abolish the primary focus of seizure discharges.

 

Pharmacology of Pegoanone

Pegoanone is a hydantoin derivative and anticonvulsant. Pegoanone exerts an antiepileptic effect without causing general central nervous system depression. The mechanism of action is probably very similar to that of phenytoin. The latter drug appears to stabilize rather than to raise the normal seizure threshold, and to prevent the spread of seizure activity rather than to abolish the primary focus of seizure discharges.

 

Pegoanone for patients

Patients should be advised to report immediately such signs and symptoms as sore throat, fever, malaise, easy bruising, petechiae, epistaxis, or others that may be indicative of an infection or bleeding tendency.

Laboratory Tests:

Liver function tests should be performed if clinical evidence suggests the possibility of hepatic dysfunction. Signs of liver damage are indication for withdrawal of the drug.

It is recommended that blood counts and urinalyses be performed when therapy is begun and at monthly intervals for several months thereafter. As in patients receiving other hydantoin compounds and other antiepileptic drugs, blood dyscrasias have been reported in patients receiving PEGANONE (ethotoin tablets, USP). Marked depression of the blood count is indication for withdrawal of the drug.

 

Pegoanone Interactions

PEGANONE used in combination with other drugs known to adversely affect the hematopoietic system should be avoided if possible.

Considerable caution should be exercised if PEGANONE is administered concurrently with Phenurone (phenacemide) since paranoid symptoms have been reported during therapy with this combination.

A two-way interaction between the hydantoin antiepileptic, phenytoin, and the coumarin anticoagulants has been suggested. Presumably, phenytoin acts as a stimulator of coumarin metabolism and has been reported to cause decreased serum levels of the coumarin anticoagulants and increased prothrombin-proconvertin concentrations.

Conversely, the coumarin anticoagulants have been reported to increase the serum levels and prolong the serum half-life of phenytoin by inhibiting its metabolism. Although there is no documentation of such, a similar interaction between ethotoin and the coumarin anticoagulants may occur. Caution is therefore advised when administering PEGANONE to patients receiving coumarin anticoagulants.

 

Pegoanone Contraindications

PEGANONE (ethotoin tablets, USP) is contraindicated in patients with hepatic abnormalities or hematologic disorders.

 

Additional information about Pegoanone

Pegoanone Indication

For the control of tonic-clonic (grand mal) and complex partial (psychomotor) seizures.

Mechanism Of Action
The mechanism of action is probably very similar to that of phenytoin. The latter drug appears to stabilize rather than to raise the normal seizure threshold, and to prevent the spread of seizure activity rather than to abolish the primary focus of seizure discharges. Pegoanone inhibits nerve impulses in the motor cortex by lowering sodium ion influx, limiting tetanic stimulation.
Generic Name
Ethotoin
Synonyms
Ethotoine [INN-French]; Ethotoinum [INN-Latin]; Etotoina [INN-Spanish]
Drug Category
Anticonvulsants
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Ethotoin
Accenon; Peganone; Pegoanone;
Absorption
Fairly rapidly absorbed, however, the extent of oral absorption is not known.
Toxicity (Overdose)
Symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, loss of or impaired muscle coordination, nausea, visual disturbance, and, at very high doses, coma.
Biotransformation
Hepatic. The drug exhibits saturable metabolism with respect to the formation of N-deethyl and p-hydroxyl-ethotoin, the major metabolites.
Half Life
3 to 9 hours
Dosage Forms of Pegoanone
Tablet Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name
3-ethyl-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione
Chemical Formula
C11H12N2O2
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals