We were asked to share our experiences in relation to toxicology and the drugs involved. Upon reading the topic, one person popped out of my mind - MANUEL.
To transfer from one school to another will be difficult for a kid to adjust. New faces, new environment, new teachers, and most of all, new classmates. I spent my nursery and preparatory years from a school so different from my elementary institution. That is, my mom enrolled me to this primary school which is much closer to our home.
As soon as the class started, my chest is filled with confusion, fear, and the most, nervousness. I can hear my heart pounding next to my ear when my older cousin guided me to my classroom assignment. I can see the heads of my new classmates turn and stare as I walk by the teacher's table and as I try to find a seat. Sadly, most of the seats are occupied and I guess, everyone then knows each other a lot than I do, so nobody would offer to be a seatmate.
As I walk by the isle, I found an unoccupied desk (Seats with tables in a typical elementary classroom.) at the back. I hurried and sat eagerly to comfort myself. I wondered why our schedule is so early yet the teacher is not yet starting her orientation. Well, I guess it's just the start of the class and her co-teachers are still chatting, probably sharing the things that happened during the summer vacation.
So the time passed and still, the teacher isn't starting yet. As I try to roll my eyes in the four corners of the classroom, I found a bag next to me. I tried my best not to think negatively, but this thought keeps on circling my mind: "Whoa! I'm not alone in this desk. Oh my gosh. I hope he or she's not wicked. hohoh..."
Okay, so my "seatmate" isn't showing up yet. I really can't think of a way to counteract if ever he or she will bully me or something. Based from the color and appearance of the bag, a red backpack, a non childish red bag, I can tell that the owner is someone older and probably a guy. But what if she's a girl and she just wanted to have a boyish image? Too much thinking. Blah.
As I observe my classmates, I came to see someone so tall entering the classroom. He's almost like at the same grade as my cousin - grade 5. He is silently walking, not looking at anybody, walking, walking, walking towards me! Oh gosh, my seatmate! I got scared because he is too serious and seemed so angry. He made his way near our desk, he sat, and he didn't even say a single word. I was relieved. *sigh*
Great! He is not wicked and he did not bully me. So, does this mean we can be friends? I was about to approach him when our teacher came and she eventually started the orientation. So she goes talking and talking while she disciplines my other classmates about their behavior. She's too busy handling us, first graders, who seem to have hangovers yet about the vacation.
Upon the discussion and lecture writing, my seatmate talked and asked me about some of the words he can't understand. I was puzzled by the way how his voice was blurry and he can't seem to pronounce other words clearly. Almost all words seem to sound like "M" and "N" and sometimes "Ng" and full of air - moat (boat), mincnure (picture), ngoloh menhil (color pencil).
I faced him. A bit shocked, I saw his upper lip torn up to his nose with his tooth shown differently big. As a first grader, I don't know how to react. I don't know what to say. I just stared at him bluntly and turned my head back to our teacher again. I felt sad, ;( really. But i came to a thought, even if he's like that, he still manage to go to school, study, and interact with people. The most, he's kind and doesn't take grudges to other students that tease him about his appearance.
From then on, Manuel and I became buddies. ^___^
I told my mom about my new friend, Manuel. I told my mom about his condition and she asked me who's Manuel's parents are. As I began telling my mom, she seemed to know who they are, so I asked her. She also told me how and why Manuel turned out to be like that.
I've known that Manuel's mom is sick and she needs medications that she was not aware what the side effects are. One of the drug that mom gave emphasis on was Dilantin. This drug, as my mom told me, was the main cause of Manuel's appearance - cleft palate.
Through the years, Manuel and I were still friends. He became my older brother at school, because that's what he was to everybody in our class. He's older, really. :p
As years went by, I've known that Dilantin is an antiepileptic drug. That is, to treat individuals with seizure disorders. The action of this drug involves lowering the action of the brain cells and activating the inactive site of sodium channels. This drug is also called Phenytoin Sodium. It's generic name. (To know more about Dilantin, Click Here)
Based from MedicineNet, the dosage to be administered to patients is specific. Adjustments may be applied based on the measure of the drug in the circulation or blood. It may be administered once, twice or three times a day and taking this drug along with food may take in the chance of reducing its side effects. Elderly patients, need lower doses as well as persons with certain renal and hepatic disorders and diseases.
According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Health library and MedicineNet, the drug Phenytoin has the following side effects:
- Neurologic
- Hematologic
- Teratogenic
- Gingival
- Suicidal Risk
- Immunodeficiency Disease
- Autoimmune Disease
- Carcinogenic
- Dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty focusing (vision), unsteady gate, tiredness, abnormal involuntary movements, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
Based from my experience, the main focus of the harsh effects of the drug is teratogenecity.teratogenic effects of the drug during the time his mom is pregnant. This condition is accompanied by Fetal Hydantoin Syndrome, which, according to Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital possesses the following birth defects: Manuel, as a child born with defects in the the palate as well as the lip and the nose, is a product of the
- growth deficiency
- developmental delay
- cleft palate
- certain facial characteristics
- heart defects
- genitourinary abnormalities
- abnormalities of the fingers and nails
The reason of these birth defects is the prevention of the primary sickness of Manuel's mother, which is epilepsy. Ingestion of this drug during the first trimester of pregnancy brings harsh effects to the fetus. This happens because the drug can cross to the placenta and it is metabolized by the baby, along with other nutrients coming from the mother.
So Manuel, after undergoing an operation to correct his facial abnormality, lived normally. We are still friends until now and I guess, he is living a happy life with his parents. :)
To best understand the mechanism of Phenytoin/Dilantin, watch this:
by illumistream
References:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHgScJ13AUE
