Patients and doctors are becoming increasingly worried about the link between Dilantin (Phenytoin) and brain toxicity.

More specifically, Dilantin has been alleged to be one of the causes of cerebellar atrophy, after recent studies have linked long term exposure of the drug to the complication.

This popular anti-epileptic drug has been linked to numerous side effects, with cerebellar atrophy being one of its most recent additions.

Brain atrophy can either be focal or generalized, either affecting only a particular area of the brain or the entire organ respectively.

Cerebellar atrophy specifically refers to the deterioration of the cerebellum, which greatly affects a patient’s walking and talking ability.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that is under the cerebrum, which is behind the brain stem and is divided into two hemispheres. It assists in regulating voluntary movements like posture, balance, coordination, and speech.

Cerebellar atrophy can result in the patient suffering slow and shaky movements, as well as uncontrollable eye movements.

Dilantin: One of the Causes of Cerebellar Atrophy?

There are numerous causes of cerebellar atrophy, from traumatic injury to degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

The causes of cerebellar atrophy can also stem from tumors, seizures, and even brain toxicity from different chemicals from certain drugs and even chemotherapy treatments.

According to recent research, Dilantin could also be one of the causes of cerebellar atrophy due to the brain’s exposure to the chemicals of the medication.

Recent studies have suggested that long term use of Dilantin could increase the chances of cerebellar atrophy, which has made prescribing physicians wary of the medication.

The correlation was first discovered in 1994, when scientists noticed that patients taking Dilantin or other Phenytoin drugs had significantly smaller cerebelli compared to non Phenytoin patients.

Other studies have found similar results, with researchers noting that long term exposure to Dilantin significantly increased the chances of cerebellar atrophy.

A recent example comes from a 2013 case report published in Neurology Asia, which followed a young woman who suffered the symptoms of cerebellar atrophy.

The patient had reportedly developed these symptoms only after two weeks of ingesting Phenytoin, with her suffering from both the physical symptoms of this condition as well as some of the mental impairments.

After six months, the patient had further developed cerebellar atrophy with the scientists suggesting Phenytoin as the primary instigator.

It is important to note that there is no cure for cerebellar atrophy, so Dilantin/Phenytoin patients who believe they are suffering from the affliction should consult their physicians as soon as possible.

Treatment varies between patients, with physical therapy and medications often used to reverse the damage in early prognosis cases.

Even though Phenytoin medications may be a part of the potential causes of cerebellar atrophy, many patients are not aware of the correlation. Patients who developed cerebellar atrophy soon after taking Phenytoin may be eligible for legal action, and should consult a specialized lawyer.