Scientific research has indicated that long term use of the antiepileptic drug Dilantin (generic: phenytoin) may lead to a cerebral atrophy diagnosis, a dangerous side effect that requires immediate medical care.

Dilantin is a brand name anticonvulsant drug that has a long history of treating many seizure disorders. Manufacturer Pfizer first introduced Dilantin in 1938, and the FDA approved it in 1953. It was the first modern drug that reduced seizures at a nonsedative dose.

Dilantin is used to treat partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The medication is also used to prevent seizures after brain surgery.

It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

It 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 of seizures and status epilepticus.

What is Cerebral Atrophy?

Cerebral Atrophy (also know as focal cerebral atrophy or 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 a cerebral atrophy diagnosis can experience symptoms like unsteady gait, poor muscle control, and trouble speaking or swallowing. Cerebral atrophy symptoms may onset slowly or rapidly, depending on why the patient’s cerebellum is degenerating.

Cerebral Atrophy Causes

Possible cerebral atrophy diagnosis may be attributed to the long-term use of Dilantin.

Specifically, a study in the early 1990’s examined the link between long term use of phenytoin and cerebral atrophy symptoms in epilepsy patients.

According to the researchers, cerebral atrophy symptoms were noted in patients with long term phenytoin exposure.

While the findings were attributed by some researchers to seizures, others indicated a cerebral atrophy diagnosis may be connected to long term use of phenytoin.

The study looked at a group of patients who had partial epilepsy and had used Dilantin for a long period of time. In order to determine the degree of focal cerebral atrophy, all patients and controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging, reviewed in a blind technique.

According to the researchers, cerebral atrophy was significantly more pronounced in patients with long-term use of phenytoin than in the control group.

However, researchers caution that no correlation was found between focal cerebral atrophy and instances of seizure severity or degree of phenytoin exposure.

What to Expect After a Cerebral Atrophy Diagnosis

There are three progressive stages associated with a cerebral atrophy diagnosis.

The first stage is characterized by the following symptoms:

• dizziness while walking
• inflexibility of movement
• lack of coordination in the legs when climbing stairs
• swinging body at standing position
• difficulty of judging distance
• difficulty of moving the eyes

The second or middle stage of a cerebral atrophy diagnosis is characterized by symptoms like the:

• inability to control body posture and gait
• slurring speech
• writing difficulty
• loss of coordination
• aggravated heaviness and incoordination of the limbs and muscle

The advanced stage is characterized by symptoms such as:

• impairment of intelligence
• unclearness or loss of speech
• difficulty swallowing
• inability to stand or sit
• written words that can’t be understood or distinguished

There is no cure for a cerebral atrophy diagnosis. Once brain cells have been lost, the damage is permanent. Treatment for a cerebral atrophy diagnosis is centered on treating the symptoms and complications of the condition.

Were You Harmed By Dilantin?

If you or a loved one has suffered from a cerebral atrophy diagnosis which you believe to be associated with the long-term use of Dilantin, an experienced Dilantin attorney can discuss your legal options.

You may have cause to file a Dilantin lawsuit against Pfizer in order to seek financial compensation for your injuries, the medical expenses associated with Dilantin cerebral atrophy diagnosis and the pain and suffering endured by you or your family member.