Have you received a cerebellar atrophy diagnosis after exposure to the popular anticonvulsant medication Dilantin? You may be able to file a lawsuit.

More and more Dilantin patients are coming forward with allegations of serious complications caused by the anticonvulsant, with some choosing to file lawsuits over these side effects.

Lawsuits allege that the drug’s manufacturer, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc., was aware of the drug’s risks, yet failed to adequately warn both patients and the medical community about these dangers, including cerebellar atrophy.

Patients who have received a cerebellar atrophy diagnosis after exposure to Dilantin, or suffered from other serious side effects, may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Basics of Dilantin

Dilantin (also sold under its generic name, phenytoin) is a widely used anticonvulsant drug manufactured by Pfizer Inc., and was approved to treat epileptic seizures.

During an epileptic seizure, the brain’s neurons fire much more rapidly than usual causing the uncontrollable movements indicative of a seizure.

Anticonvulsants like Dilantin do not treat the underlying issue that causes the seizure, but rather the effects of the seizure itself. Dilantin works to slow down the rate at which the neurons are firing, which can help to calm or stop the seizures quickly.

Since its introduction to the market, Dilantin has quickly become one of the more popular options. Unfortunately, it has also been linked with some serious side and long-lasting side effects. Furthermore, some patients claim that they were not adequately warned about Dilantin’s risks, including cerebellar atrophy diagnosis.

Cerebellar Atrophy Diagnosis

Cerebellar atrophy is a degenerative brain condition that causes the loss of brain cells over time. It can be prompted by a variety of injuries or neurological problems. However, cerebellar atrophy diagnosis has also been identified as one of the side effects of Dilantin, according to recent studies.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls certain basic movements like coordination, speech, posture, and balance. When suffering from cerebellar atrophy, these motions can be heavily impaired, which can lead to a number of serious complications for the patient, some of which may be irreversible.

As degeneration continues, symptoms get progressively worse for patients, including dementia, seizures, difficulty speaking, and loss of comprehension or reading ability.

Currently, there is no cure after cerebellar atrophy diagnosis, so treatment focuses instead on combating its symptoms. Stopping intake of the drug may lead to alleviation of some symptoms. In other cases, the symptoms may persist and become permanent.

Filing a Lawsuit After Cerebellar Atrophy Diagnosis

While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of the side effects of Dilantin, including cerebellar atrophy, it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills and even lost wages.

If you or someone you love has experienced cerebellar atrophy diagnosis after taking Dilantin, there may be a link and you may be able to file a lawsuit.