Patients who take Dilantin are at a greater risk of cerebellar brain atrophy, according to some studies of the anti-seizure medication.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for precise movement and coordination. A patient taking Dilantin (phenytoin) for a long period of time or at a particularly high dosage could be susceptible to cerebellar brain atrophy, according to recent studies.

Posture, balance, coordination and speech are among the functions of the cerebellum. Cerebellar brain atrophy can be a dangerous and devastating diagnoses.

Dilantin has been available for a long time. First found to control seizures in the late 1800s, it is still one of the most widely used medications for people with epilepsy and other types of seizures.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, brain cells fire “at a certain rate to function normally. During a seizure, brain cells are forced to work much more rapidly than normal.”

Even though Dilantin effectively prevents brain cells from firing at the speed needed to start a seizure, the drug might slow certain cell functions too much. Cerebellar brain atrophy happens when brain cells lose neurons that connect the cells to one another. Without neural connectivity, the brain tissue begins to degenerate.

Cerebellar Brain Atrophy Symptoms

Patients are unable to control many types of motions when they suffer from cerebellar brain atrophy. They may exhibit problems walking, talking, or controlling their arms and legs. Patients suffering from cerebellar brain atrophy might exhibit a variety of symptoms, including:

• A lurching-type walk
• Unsteady, stumbling gait
• Slow or unsteady jerking movements of the arms or legs
• Trembling
• A bobbing up and down motion of the trunk upon sitting
• Small, rapid movements of the eyes
• Memory loss
• Clumsiness with daily activities such as brushing teeth, buttoning clothing
• Changes in the tone, pitch or volume of speech
• Slurred speech
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Personality changes

Researchers realize that after years of seizures, the brain can experience some atrophying. Still, studies indicate that Dilantin itself can induce cerebellar brain atrophy.

In 1994, researchers examined MRI data of Dilantin patients compared to a control group that had not received the medication. Scientists reportedly found the cerebelli of Dilantin patients were much smaller than those of the non-treated control group.

Another study conducted in 2003 connected long-term Dilantin use with moderate to severe cerebellar brain atrophy. In some cases, the brain atrophied even when the drug level tested within the normal therapeutic range.

The Annals of Neurology published a study of five epileptic patients diagnosed with Dilantin cerebellar atrophy. None of them had suffered recent seizures, but all of their blood tests indicated high levels of Dilantin toxicity. The researchers determined Dilantin caused the cerebellar brain atrophy in those patients.

Dilantin is known as a potent drug, which means even the slightest alteration in dosing can induce toxicity. Anyone taking Dilantin should contact a medical professional with concerns.

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar brain atrophy after taking Dilantin, you could be eligible for compensation through legal representation.