Dilantin cerebellar atrophy has been a medical concern for patients and doctors for the past several years, which is not good news for epileptic patients who rely on this drug.

Dilantin is used to treat and prevent seizures. Its treatment mechanism slows down the electrical signals in the brain to prevent seizure onset.

Studies have indicated Dilantin cerebellar atrophy to be a risk of the drug since the 1990s, when a study showed that patients had significantly smaller cerebelli compared to non-exposed patients.

The first study to analyze the potential side effect of Dilantin cerebellar atrophy was published in 1994 in Neurology Archives, which detailed a study of epileptic patients that were prescribed phenytoin.

There were 36 patients in this study were prescribed Dilantin for typical treatment purposes, and researchers took MRI scans of their brain to observe how the drug impacted their brains.

Researchers discovered these patients had significantly smaller cerebelli compared to those patients not taking Dilantin, which led to the concern surrounding Dilantin cerebellar atrophy.

Overview of Dilantin Cerebellar Atrophy Problems

Cerebellar atrophy is a focal variant of cerebral atrophy, or brain shrinkage, in which tvital neurological connections between the brain and the central nervous system are lost.

As the name implies, cerebellar atrophy is the deterioration of the cerebellum, which controls voluntary movements like walking and talking. Patients who develop cerebellar atrophy typically develop symptoms such as:

• Slow, unsteady, or jerky movements in arms or legs
• Slow and slurred speech
• Nystagmus (small rapid eye movements)
• Memory Loss
• Tripping, falling, staggering or general unsteadiness while walking
• Needing intense concentration for normal activities

It is important to note that cerebellar atrophy has no cure. Patients are often only prescribed treatment methods to mitigate the symptoms, such as drug therapy or physical therapy to upkeep movement.

The problem of Dilantin cerebellar atrophy is very concerning to patients and prescribing physicians, as other studies are finding similar results as the inquiry in the 1990s.

One of these later studies was conducted in 2003, which found that Dilantin-caused cerebellar atrophy was more likely in patients using Dilantin for long-term treatment. Some studies have even found that children might be at risk for Dilantin cerebellar atrophy if they are prescribed phenytoin for their epilepsy.

Dilantin is one of the oldest treatment drugs for epilepsy in the United States, with numerous patients and physicians relying on the medication on a daily basis. Dilantin can be prescribed to treat a number of epileptic conditions and other cognitive issues, so it is important for manufacturer Pfizer Inc. to disclose all potential side effects.

Patients who may have developed Dilantin cerebellar atrophy may be able to file legal action against Pfizer, for allegedly failing to warn them against this possible side effect. Affected patients can file legal action to seek compensation for these medical problems, as well as damages for diminished quality of life.