The widely used anticonvulsant drug Dilantin has been identified as a possible cause of a serious condition known as cerebellar ataxia. Cerebellar ataxia can be long-lasting or even permanent, and may have a dramatic effect on the lives of patients.

Patients and families who have suffered because of cerebellar ataxia symptoms caused by Dilantin may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer.

Background of Dilantin

Dilantin (also known by its generic name, phenytoin) is a medication used to treat epileptic seizures. Dilantin does this by preventing a patient’s brain cells from firing as rapidly as they do during an epileptic seizure, helping to control seizures early on or even preventing them altogether.

Dilantin is one of the more popular epilepsy drugs currently on the market. Its popularity may lead patients to believe that the drug is safer than most. However, a growing number of recent reports indicate that the drug may be connected with the serious condition known as cerebellar ataxia, raising alarm bells for patients and doctors alike.

What is Cerebellar Ataxia?

Cerebellar ataxia affects the cerebellum, which is a part of the brain responsible for many basic body functions. These functions include sensory abilities, voluntary movement, balance, and speech.

Essentially, cerebellar ataxia is the degeneration of the cerebellum, which can cause serious issues. Patients who suffer from cerebellar ataxia symptoms may experience loss of balance, tremors, and unstable eye movements. They may move in slow, jerky movements or slur their speech.

In some cases, symptoms of cerebellar ataxia are reversible. Unfortunately, other patients may be left with much more permanent complications that can drastically affect their lives.

Patients who have been taken Dilantin over the long term and at higher dosages should be especially cautious because of this ever-growing link between the popular anti-epilepsy drug and cerebellar ataxia symptoms, as these types of use increase their risk.

Some patients who undergo long-term phenytoin use and suffer from cerebellar ataxia symptoms can rid themselves of these problems by stopping their drug intake. Patients can usually be treated for this condition by withdrawing from phenytoin while being carefully monitored by a doctor. However, some patients may find that these cerebral ataxia symptoms can become a permanent part of their lives.

Filing a Dilantin a Cerebellar Ataxia Lawsuit

Cerebellar ataxia symptoms can cause significant damage, especially if they become permanent after long-term use. If you or someone you know has suffered from cerebellar ataxia symptoms or a similar issue after taking the anti-seizure medication Dilantin, you may be able to join a phenytoin lawsuit investigation. While filing a cerebellar ataxia lawsuit cannot make up for pain and suffering from cerebral ataxia symptoms, it can help compensate for medical expenses and lost wages.