A growing number of patients who have taken Dilantin are coming forward with allegations that they have suffered serious side effects as a result of exposure to the popular anticonvulsant. Some have filed lawsuits, claiming that the drug’s manufacturer, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, did not adequately warn them of the severe risks of the medication such as atrophy of the cerebellum.

If you or someone you love has suffered from atrophy of the cerebellum or other serious complications after using Dilantin, you may be able to pursue compensation.

Background of Dilantin

Dilantin is an anticonvulsant drug manufactured by Pfizer, Inc., and is used to treat epileptic seizures. It is also sold under its generic name (phenytoin).

During an epileptic seizure, the brain’s neurons fire much more rapidly than usual, which causes the uncontrollable movements indicative of a seizure. Anticonvulsants like Dilantin do not treat the underlying issue that causes the seizure, but rather the effects of the seizure itself. Dilantin works to slow down the rate at which the neurons are firing, which can help to calm or stop the seizures quickly.

Since its introduction to the market, Dilantin has quickly become one of the more popular options. Unfortunately, it has also been linked with some serious side and long-lasting side effects, which some patients claim that they were not adequately warned about. One of these risks is atrophy of the cerebellum, a degenerative brain condition.

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Cerebellar atrophy, a condition that causes the loss of brain cells over time, can be prompted by a variety of injuries or neurological problems. However, atrophy of the cerebellum has recently also been linked as one of the side effects of Dilantin.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls basic movements like coordination, speech, posture, and balance. As degeneration causes the brain to lose more brain cells, these motions can be heavily impaired, which can lead to a number of serious and long-lasting problems for the patient.

As degeneration continues, symptoms get progressively worse for patients, including dementia, seizures, difficulty speaking, and loss of comprehension or reading ability.

There is no cure currently available for atrophy of the cerebellum, so treatment focuses instead on combatting its symptoms. If the condition was caused by an infection, symptoms may be stopped from worsening by treating the infection itself. However, for patients whose atrophy of the cerebellum was caused by Dilantin, stopping intake of the drug may lead to alleviation of some symptoms. In other cases, the condition may be permanent.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Atrophy of the Cerebellum

While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of the side effects of Dilantin, including atrophy of the cerebellum, it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills and even lost wages. If you or someone you love has experienced atrophy of the cerebellum after long-term use of Dilantin, there may be a link, and you may be able to file a lawsuit.