Dilantin oral side effects purportedly include shrinkage to a focal region of the brain known as the cerebellum. While this area of the brain has been known to have its size affected by the presence of a seizure disorder by itself, a study completed in 1994 controlled for this factor and compared epilepsy patients taking phenytoin with a like group taking a different treatment medication.

The results indicated that Dilantin oral side effects may include the loss of neurons and neural connections in the cerebellum making it overall smaller in mass.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin—known generically as phenytoin—is the grandfather of oral epilepsy treatment medication. It was developed very early in the 20^th century for use with electroshock treatment. The drug was found to be helpful in controlling seizures during this mental health treatment, which was and is very controversial but still in limited use today.

It was first used to treat epileptic seizures in 1936 and initiated an era of rapid development of alternative medications for epilepsy. It is available generically and remains one of the least expensive forms of treatment—if effective for the type of seizure activity experienced by the patient—on the market today.

It is listed on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) List of Essential Medicines and is commonly stocked by emergency rooms worldwide. Domestically, it is available for about $1 per pill or $30 per month.

Because it is older, however, and there are better alternatives on the market without Dilantin oral side effects like cerebellar atrophy, it is rarely the first choice of specializing neurologists.

Spotting Dilantin Oral Side Effects Like Cerebellar Atrophy

While there are several short-term Dilantin oral side effects that typically go away with treatment such as dizziness or a headache, the 1994 study that linked long-term use of the epilepsy drug with cerebellar shrinkage was very significant.

The cerebellum is a structure that is located behind the brain stem where the spinal chord connects with the brain mass. It is the lowest most part of that mass and controls voluntary muscle movement by coordinating the actions of several groups of muscles required to perform a certain task such as skateboarding or just walking.

The lobe assists with maintaining the intricacies of balance while performing these and other activities by telling our muscles when to make certain adjustments that will affect our body’s position in space.

The most noticeable aspect of someone that has experienced long-term Dilantin oral side effects affecting the cerebellum will be the tendency to misstep and correct body movements too late. To the untrained eye, a Dilantin patient can appear like they’ve been drinking and are inebriated.

A lurching walk with a side-to-side rocking motion of the torso is also not an uncommon sight in someone whose cerebellum has atrophied. Adding to the impression that they might be under the influence of alcohol, a patient with cerebellar shrinkage might slur their words or have difficulty enunciating. Unusual lateral eye movements often accompany the syndrome as well.

It is important to note that if you suspect that you or a loved one has been affected by long-term use of Dilantin, do not stop taking the medication without meeting with your physician. Abrupt withdrawal can bring on status epilepticus—a dangerous state of chronic seizure that can be life-threatening.