The degenerative brain condition known as cerebellar ataxia may be brought on by a number of factors, including brain injury, neurological disease, and brain infections. Another of the possible causes of cerebellar ataxia is exposure to certain drugs. However, many patients taking these medications may be unaware of the risk they are associated with.

What is Cerebellar Ataxia?

Cerebellar ataxia is a serious brain condition in which the tissue in the part of the brain known as the cerebellum degenerates over time as it loses neurons.

The cerebellum is responsible for a number of basic but essential movement functions, including coordination, balance, speech, and posture. Damage to the cerebellum through a condition like cerebellar ataxia can affect these functions, leading to unsteady or lurching walking, uncontrollable arm or leg movement, slow and slurred speech, nystagmus (small, rapid movements of the eyes), and memory loss.

In some cases, cerebellar ataxia is treatable. For instance, if the condition was caused because of a neurological issue, it may recede if the underlying issue is treated. Other causes of cerebellar ataxia may make the condition more difficult to treat. If a patient took a medication that led to their cerebellar ataxia, treatment may be as simple as stopping their intake of the drug, but others may face more permanent symptoms of cerebellar ataxia.

Possible causes of cerebellar ataxia include:

• Brain injury (such as a stroke or other traumatic injury)
• Neurological disease (including Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Huntington’s)
• Brain infections (including AIDS and encephalitis)
• Certain medications, including Dilantin and chemo treatments

Medications Linked to Cerebellar Ataxia

The anticonvulsant drug Dilantin (also sold under its generic name, phenytoin) has been cited as one of the causes of cerebellar ataxia. Dilantin, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., is one of the more popular anticonvulsants available on the market.  Dilantin is used to treat patients with epilepsy by preventing neurons from firing as rapidly as they do during an epileptic seizure. This helps to minimize the effects of a patient’s seizure.

Unfortunately, Dilantin has also been linked as one of the causes of cerebellar ataxia. According to a study published in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy, the likelihood that a Dilantin user will suffer from cerebellar ataxia as a result is affected by the length of time the patient has used the drug, as well as the strength of the dosage.

While cerebellar ataxia is more likely for those who have taken Dilantin for a long time and at higher dosages, patients still run the risk on lower doses of Dilantin for shorter periods as well.

Filing a Dilantin Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has developed cerebellar ataxia after using Dilantin or a similar drug, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Dilantin lawsuits allege that they should have been warned about the risk of cerebellar ataxia linked with phenytoin use.

Filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of cerebellar ataxia and its symptoms, but it can help to compensate for the financial expenses incurred by medical bills and lost wages.