Dilantin toxicity has been an increasingly common symptom and side effect reported by patients who began taking the medication allegedly assuming they would not have risk of these problems.

Any patients who suffered from cerebellar degeneration or cerebellar atrophy while taking Dilantin may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit investigation.

Patients who start taking Dilantin in order to manage their seizures may not have known about the risk of severe side effects, some of which can be life-threatening if the patient doesn’t get medical attention right away. Dilantin toxicity has been blamed for many side effects that some patients say they never got adequate warning about.

All drugs come with an informational packet and general warnings about possible side effects. But some patients and doctors claim that Dilantin came on the market with no such appropriate warning, putting the users at risk of finding out these side effects on their own.

As more cases and reports come out reporting issues with Dilantin, these patients may choose to file lawsuits.

Studies and Reports Connect Issues of Dilantin Toxicity

More academic studies and individual cases indicate problems when Dilantin toxicity, which could cause cerebellar degeneration. This condition can affect coordination, speech and movement.

Dilantin is most frequently prescribed as an anti-epileptic for those who suffer from seizures and epilepsy but cerebellar degeneration or Dilantin toxicity have been some of the most serious side effects linked to the medication.

These conditions can occur when the brain tissue losses neurons as well as the connections between them, ultimately causing degeneration of the brain tissue. Cerebral atrophy may be focal or generalized.

Symptoms of this condition include slurred and slow speech, jerky movements in the legs or arms, a lurching or unsteady walk, memory loss or nystagmus.

Causes of Cerebellar Atrophy

Some of the most common causes behind cerebellar atrophy include tumors, multiple sclerosis, seizures and stroke. Unfortunately, Dilantin toxicity may be yet another cause of this serious condition.

Multiple academic studies have already indicated that Dilantin toxicity may cause cerebellar atrophy. A 2003 study, for example, identified that severe or moderate atrophy of the cerebellum was linked to a patient’s long-term use of Dilantin.

Those children who may take Dilantin medication to treat epilepsy can also be at risk. Recovering from localized cerebellar atrophy and cerebral atrophy may occur when a patient discontinues taking Dilantin.

However, those patients who are not aware of the side effects or the development of this condition may be at risk or could make the condition worse. In some cases involving Dilantin toxicity, injuries may also be permanent and severely impact muscle coordination in the patient.

Those patients who have experienced these conditions may be eligible to participate in class action lawsuit investigations against the manufacturer and would do well to consult with legal representation as soon as possible.

Attorneys representing patients suffering from Dilantin toxicity allege in lawsuits that the manufacturers knew or should have known about the serious risks for patients suffering from seizures and epilepsy and that failure to disclose this information represents negligence on the part of the manufacturer.