Dilantin long term side effects have become widely associated with cerebellar atrophy after patients continue to file injury reports indicating a potential correlation. With cerebellar atrophy being linked to Dilantin long term side effects, patients should be wary against potentially permanent nerve damage and movement issues.

Scientists have speculated about a correlation since the early 1990s and have conducted several studies that have indicated an increased risk of cerebellar atrophy in conjunction with Dilantin (phenytoin) use.

Overview of Cerebellar Atrophy and Dilantin Long Term Side Effects

The first study was published in August 1994 in the Archives of Neurology, which showed that patients prescribed phenytoin had significantly smaller cerebelli compared to non-exposed patients.

The cerebellum is the region of the brain behind the brain stem which controls voluntary muscle movements like talking and moving. Damage to the cerebellum can cause serious nerve damage, along with potentially permanent issues with speech and movement.

When researchers conducted the first Dilantin cerebellar atrophy study, they did this to observe the treatment mechanism phenytoin had on the brain. Dilantin works by slowing down the electrical signals in the brain that cause seizures, making it a popular choice for epilepsy treatment. This is one of the oldest antiepileptic medications in the United States, but Dilantin long term side effects have caused major concern in the medical community over the years.

For example, a study published in July 2003 in the medical journal Seizure found that patients who were prescribed phenytoin on a long term basis were more likely to develop cerebellar atrophy. The study consisted of 56 epilepsy patients who used phenytoin for over two months, which indicated that cerebellar atrophy was closely associated with Dilantin long term side effects.

In addition, a study published in the Journal of Postgraduate Medicine in December 2000 found that cerebellar atrophy could potentially develop in children exposed to large amounts of phenytoin. This inquiry consisted of a case study of a four year old boy, who was prescribed phenytoin to treat his epilepsy.

The most recent inquiry was published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology in November 2013, which documented a 16 year old patient who had also allegedly developed cerebellar atrophy after being prescribed phenytoin.

It is important to note that cerebellar atrophy is a permanent condition that has no cure, and patients will most likely have to contend with the symptoms for the remainder of their lives. While there are medications and physical therapy options that help mitigate the symptoms, it does not cure the condition.

Therefore it is important for Dilantin patients to be vigilant against any signs or symptoms of cerebellar atrophy including, but not limited to:

• Unsteady or lurching walk
• Slow or unsteady movements in arms or legs
• Slow and slurred speech
• Nystagmus (small rapid eye movements)
• Memory loss