Dilantin (Phenytoin) has been linked to a number of serious side effects, some of which cause long term health problems in patients.

One of the adverse side effects of Dilantin that has been recently gaining attention is cerebral atrophy, which is the degeneration of the brain.

If not treated quickly, patients with cerebral atrophy can face permanent difficulties within the facets of everyday life, like walking and talking.

Dilantin is one of the country’s oldest and most preferred anti-epileptic medications, prescribed to treat numerous seizure conditions.

Dilantin has earned millions for Pfizer Inc. since its release in 1953, however numerous patients have also reported serious adverse side effects of Dilantinsince then.

While there are several other major adverse side effects of Dilantin, such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, cerebral atrophy is causing reasonable concern as the effects may be irreversible.

Recent studies show that Dilantin and other phenytoin products may induce damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement, raising the chances of cerebral atrophy considerably.

Overview of Dilantin Cerebral Atrophy

Cerebral atrophy occurs when the brain tissue starts to deteriorate and lose the connecting neurons, which can be caused by a number of problems.

Other than the adverse side effects of Dilantin, cerebral atrophy can be caused from a wide range of events from traumatic injury or degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Cerebral atrophy can be either focal or generalized, affecting only a specific part of the brain or the entire organ respectively.

Even though phenytoin cerebral atrophy is gaining attention now, studies indicate scientists may have been suspicious of it being linked to the adverse side effects of Dilantin since the 1990s.

The first study to observe this link was in 1994, when researchers noticed a peculiar characteristic of phenytoin patients.

Patients prescribed phenytoin exhibited significantly smaller cerebelli, compared to the control group. Later studies have found similar results, with the more severe cases having higher concentrations of phenytoin.

Research indicates that the longer patients use phenytoin, the more likely they are to develop cerebral atrophy. Early intervention is vital to contain the damage of cerebral atrophy, as the symptoms can be managed through different treatment therapies.

Patients who are taking Dilantin or generic phenytoin should be vigilant to any unusual symptoms including:

• Unsteady walking movements
• Jerky movements in arms or legs
• Slow and slurred speech
• Small rapid eye movements movements

Pfizer has repeatedly faced criticism for insufficient warning labels on different products, with the adverse side effects of Dilantin included in the criticism.

Patients who have suffered phenytoin cerebral atrophy may able to file legal action against the manufacturing company, and should contact a specialized lawyer to determine their eligibility.