Dilantin is a popular anticonvulsant medication manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. Dilantin is commonly prescribed to treat epilepsy, and is also sold under the generic name phenytoin.

But a growing number of patients are coming forward with allegations of serious adverse side effects of Dilantin, including cerebellar atrophy.

So how does Dilantin work?

Patients with epilepsy suffer from seizures, which involve the rapid firing of the brain’s neurons. This abnormal neuron speed can lead to uncontrollable physical movements which can vary widely in severity. Dilantin’s job is to counteract these effects.

Dilantin does this by slowing down the firing of these neurons. Slowing down the rapid fire of neurons minimizes — if not completely eliminates — the epileptic seizure the patient experiences.

Unfortunately, despite the popularity of this medication, more and more patients are reporting suffering from severe adverse side effects of Dilantin. Some patients have been left with long-lasting injuries.

Adverse Side Effects of Dilantin

Of course, patients can expect any medication they take to come with certain risks. These are generally either relatively common mild side effects that go away on their own, or less common but severe side effects. However, some Dilantin patients claim that the adverse side effects of Dilantin are far more severe than they were led to believe, based on inadequate warnings.

Indeed, patients have alleged several significant adverse side effects of Dilantin, such as:

• Cerebellar atrophy
• Diplopia
• Dysarthria
• Incoordination
• Drowsiness
• Others

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

One of the most significant adverse side effects of Dilantin is a degenerative brain condition known as cerebellar atrophy. Over time, the condition causes the brain to lose neurons, affecting the essential activities this part of the brain controls, like coordination, speech, posture, and balance.

Treatment of cerebellar atrophy can sometimes be as simple as stopping their intake of Dilantin. Unfortunately, many others are left with long-term consequences, and the adverse side effects of Dilantin become a permanent part of their daily lives.

Patients who take Dilantin long-term are much more likely to develop cerebellar atrophy side effects, studies have shown. Patients who take higher doses of Dilantin are also more likely to develop phenytoin cerebellar atrophy. These factors combined can place patients at even greater risk.

Of course, patients who take the drug for only a short period of time are also at risk of adverse side effects of Dilantin like cerebellar atrophy.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Adverse Side Effects of Dilantin

Some users of the popular medication Dilantin (phenytoin) may find that the drug’s benefits are not worth the risk of severe and long-lasting side effects. Patients who have been affected by adverse side effects of Dilantin may have legal claims against Pfizer Inc., the drug’s manufacturer, alleging that they were not adequately warned about the drug’s risks.

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar atrophy or other adverse side effects of Dilantin, you may be able to join a lawsuit investigation. While a lawsuit cannot adequately make up for pain and suffering caused by phenytoin side effects, it can help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.