A number of patients are becomingly increasingly concerned over reports of cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin.

Indeed, studies and reports have linked Dilantin with this degenerative brain condition.

Dilantin Background

Dilantin is a popular anticonvulsant medication, or epilepsy drug. Dilantin works to stop seizures in their early stages, slowing down the rapid fire of neurons in the brain that are emblematic of a seizure.

Although Dilantin is one of the more widely used anticonvulsants currently available on the market, it is also being increasingly linked with the degenerative brain condition known as cerebral atrophy.

Dilantin Side Effects

Like any other drug, Dilantin comes with a number of mild side effects. Mild side effects like rashes, headaches, and other small issues go away on their own without further treatment or any permanent harm.

However, the medication is also associated with more significant side effects with cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin one of the most worrisome concerns for many patients.

In some cases, cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin can create drastic and permanent changes in a patient’s life, sometimes leading to permanent brain damage.

Cerebral Atrophy Caused by Dilantin

Cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin is a condition that causes a patient to gradually lose brain cells over time. While cerebral atrophy has been attributed to a variety of influences and causation factors, including injuries and neurological problems, it has recently been linked to certain medications, including Dilantin.

Cerebral atrophy, as the name suggests, targets the brain. In particular, Dilantin is linked with cerebellar atrophy, the degeneration of the cerebellum. It is considered a focal cerebral atrophy, targeting a specific brain area.

The cerebellum has several important functions, and is the part of the brain that controls essential movement capabilities like coordination, speech, posture, and balance. As the cerebellum atrophies, or wastes away, these basic motions can become heavily impaired.

The lack of motion capability for a patient can cause serious problems for day-to-day life and basic functions. For instance, cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin can lead a patient to be unable to control their eye movements or balance, and take bodily control away from them.

While the symptoms of cerebral atrophy are not life-threatening in and of themselves, they can make daily tasks and simple routines difficult or even impossible, impeding patients from going about their lives as normal.

As the cerebellum continues to degenerate, symptoms of cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin get progressively worse for patients.

• Dementia
• Seizures
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of comprehension or reading ability

While cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin is more likely to occur in patients who have taken Dilantin for long periods of time and/or at higher doses, patients who have taken Dilantin for a short period of time at a normal or lower dosage can still develop this side effect.

Cerebral Atrophy Treatment

There is no cure currently available to treat cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin, so treatment focuses instead on combating its symptoms. If the condition was caused by an infection, symptoms may be stopped from worsening by treating the infection itself.

However, for patients suffering from cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin, stopping intake of the drug may lead to alleviation of some symptoms.

Dilantin Cerebral Atrophy Lawsuits

While filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of cerebral atrophy, it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills and even lost wages.

If you or someone you love has experienced cerebral atrophy caused by Dilantin, there may be a link, and you may be able to file a lawsuit.