Being diagnosed with a seizure condition will lead most patients to discuss medication treatment options with a physician. Those patients might begin taking Dilantin, a popular medication for epilepsy. However, the drug has been linked to phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy.

This is a serious brain condition that requires immediate medical treatment from a professional should it develop in a patient using Dilantin. While the medicine might be effective for treating the underlying condition of seizures, patients might begin to experience more troubling symptoms including signs of cerebellar atrophy.

Phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy is a dangerous side effect associated with the seizure medication Dilantin, according to some studies. Unfortunately, many patients have reportedly already experienced phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy after taking Dilantin as prescribed.

Academic and medical studies in the field have further explored this relationship, identifying that long term Dilantin use can significantly increase someone’s chances of sustaining phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy.

Cerebellar degeneration or cerebellar atrophy refers to the degeneration of the cerebellum. Cerebellum degeneration can affect a patient’s coordination, speech patterns or overall movements.

Generic phenytoin and Dilantin have been connected to phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy even when patients have been using the medication exactly as prescribed. Cerebral atrophy can be focalized in one particular point of the brain or can affect the entire brain. Damage to the cerebellum can lead to slow movements, shaking and tremors, a lack of balance, and unstable eye movements.

These signs of phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy should be reported to a physician as soon as possible. Anyone who is a caretaker for or family or friend of a person who is experiencing memory loss, slurred speech, jerky movements in the legs or arms, a lurching walk, or small rapid movements in the eyes should consider bringing up this possible connection between Dilantin and phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy with the prescribing physician.

In addition to Dilantin treatment, there are many other causes of cerebellar atrophy. Other causes of cerebral degeneration include multiple sclerosis, seizures, tumors, and stroke. Toxins in the brain released from chemotherapy treatments, ethanol or Dilantin medication can also cause cerebellar degeneration.

Multiple studies have shown that cerebellar toxicity was associated with phenytoin induced cerebellar atrophy. One 2003 study, for example, identified that patients who used Dilantin over the long term were likely to experience moderate or even severe atrophy of the cerebellum.

Children who currently use Dilantin medication to manage their epilepsy can also experience cerebellar degeneration.

Cerebellar atrophy treatment is often recommended for patients experiencing side effects. Discontinuing Dilantin medication is frequently recommended but should only be monitored with the assistance of a knowledgeable physician.

Discontinuing Dilantin use without a doctor’s oversight could be dangerous, but the risk of developing side effects from cerebellar atrophy can be painful as well. Any sudden development of symptoms like the lurching walk or difficulty speaking should be reported to a doctor immediately.