Dilantin, generically known as phenytoin, is an anti-epileptic drug that is used to treat seizure disorder in affected individuals. It is also used for other medical conditions including migraines and restless leg syndrome.

Dilantin is also used for other “off label” purposes such as the treatment of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders and Tourette’s syndrome.

Despite its wide use and efficacy for a number of conditions, Dilantin comes with a risk of severe side effects, more specifically, Dilantin cerebral atrophy symptoms, in addition to the common side effects that can be seen with many prescription medications.

The most concerning serious side effect associated with Dilantin use is a condition referred to as cerebral atrophy.

What Is Cerebral Atrophy?

Cerebral atrophy is another term for brain atrophy, and it is a condition where there is shrinkage of the brain tissue.

The brain shrinks because there is a loss of neurons (brain cells) and the neural connections that link the neurons to transmit messages in the brain.

Cerebral atrophy is a condition that can be congenital, affecting individuals from birth. It can also be acquired, as is the case for Dilantin-related cerebral atrophy.

Cerebral atrophy can cause dysfunction as a result of the entire brain being affected by the shrinkage. It can also affect just a certain area of the brain, which is known as focal cerebral atrophy.

In particular, the cerebral atrophy associated with Dilantin use is a focal cerebral atrophy that affects the part of the brain known as the cerebellum.

Dilantin Cerebral Atrophy Symptoms

Dilantin cerebral atrophy symptoms caused by the shrinkage of the cerebellum primarily consist of deficits in the control of movement and balance.

Dilantin cerebral atrophy symptoms include:

• Jerky movements of the arms and legs which appear slow and unsteady
• Posture difficulties including difficulty retaining an upright posture
• Intense fatigue while doing activities that previously came naturally (having to “concentrate” on previously automatic movements)
• Fine motor coordination difficulty
• Speech difficulty including slowed or slurred speech
• Nystagmus, or involuntary movements of the eye rapidly back and forth
• Difficulties with cognition and altered mood

Many of these symptoms overlap with symptoms of alcohol intoxication, and that is because alcohol directly influences the functioning of the cerebellum. Individuals with Dilantin cerebral atrophy symptoms may appear to be under the influence of alcohol.

For some individuals, stopping treatment will cause the Dilantin cerebral atrophy symptoms to fade away. In others, the damage may be much longer lasting or even permanent.

Filing a Dilantin Cerebral Atrophy Symptoms Lawsuit

Some users of Dilantin have felt that the drug manufacturer did not do enough to properly warn patients of the difficulties associated with Dilantin use.

If you have suffered from Dilantin cerebral atrophy symptoms following the use of the anti-epileptic drug, you may be eligible to seek legal compensation from the manufacturer.

An experienced Dilantin attorney can review your case for free and can help explain the legal options that are available to you.