There is some evidence that long term use of the antiepileptic drug Dilantin may occasionally give rise to a condition known as cerebellar atrophy, a serious side effects that requires immediate medical attention.

Dilantin, a form of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin, is used to treat many seizure disorders. Manufactured by Pfizer, Dilantin was first introduced in 1938, was approved by the FDA in 1953, and was the first modern drug to reduce seizures at a nonsedative dose.

The medication works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and is used to treat partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The medication is also used to prevent seizures after brain surgery.

Dilantin remains one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Although in most cases it is now used as a second-line therapy, it’s still the drug of choice in the emergency treatment for seizures and status epilepticus.

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Cerebellar Atrophy is a serious progressive condition where the cerebellum shrinks to a much smaller size than normal. Essentially, it is a degeneration of the cerebellum, a section of the brain responsible for balance, voluntary muscle movements, and posture.

People with damage to the cerebellum can experience symptoms like unsteady gait, poor muscle control, and trouble speaking or swallowing.  Signs of cerebellar atrophy may onset slowly or rapidly, depending on why the patient’s cerebellum is degenerating.

According to the researchers, cerebellar atrophy was noted in patients with phenytoin exposure. While some researchers attributed the findings to the nature of seizures, others indicated the condition was related to long term use of phenytoin.

Phenytoin Toxicity

Another side effect of long term use of Dilantin is phenytoin toxicity.  While phenytoin toxicity is rarely fatal, it can cause neurologic symptoms ranging from nystagmus to ataxia to coma.

Symptoms of phenytoin toxicity include:

• Fast, uncontrollable eye movements or double vision
• Dizziness, drowsiness, or confusion
• Lack of coordination of fingers, hands, arms, legs, or body
• Slurred speech
• Nausea or vomiting
• Decreased appetite, decreased activity, abdominal bloating, or irregular jerky movements in children or the elderly

If you or a loved one suffered a type of focal cerebral atrophy known as cerebellar atrophy or phenytoin toxicity after long term use of phenytoin or Dilantin, you may be eligible to join a phenytoin lawsuit/Dilantin lawsuit investigation and pursue compensation for your injuries.