The use of epilepsy drug Dilantin has been shown to cause certain Dilantin adverse effects including a serious condition known as cerebral atrophy.

Dilantin is an anti-seizure drug that is generically known as phenytoin. Phenytoin has been used successfully for many decades to treat epilepsy and other seizure disorders. It is commonly used during certain types of surgeries to prevent patients from experiencing seizures during surgery.

However, long-term use of phenytoin or Dilantin has been shown to have negative consequences. Dilantin adverse effects include a serious condition known as cerebral atrophy.

Cerebral atrophy is a shrinking of the brain. When this shrinking happens in a generalized way in the brain, it is called cerebral atrophy. When it happens in one specific place, it is called focalized atrophy.

When the brain’s neurons degenerate, this is called atrophy. Neurons can atrophy for a number of different reasons, including age and other diseases. Focalized atrophy due to Dilantin adverse effects often affect the cerebellum.

Impact of Cerebellar Atrophy

The cerebellum sits behind the brainstem below the main part of the brain, the cerebrum. It is responsible for regulating the motor activity of the body. The cerebellum is in charge of voluntary movements including speech, coordination, balance and posture.

It is also what controls a person’s ability to walk and move smoothly and precisely.

When a part of the brain, the cerebellum in this case, shrinks or atrophies, the functions of that part of the brain are also affected. If the cerebellum is damaged, walking, limb movement and speech are some of the things that are affected. In fact, cerebellar atrophy often mimics the symptoms of a stroke.

Cerebellar atrophy also can cause eye movements that are unstable or shaky and make things like signing a document or holding a cup of coffee difficult.

Other indications of cerebellar atrophy include slowed or slurred speech, small, rapid eye movements, large body tremors which affect a patient’s gait and unsteady and jerky movements in the limbs.

Dilantin adverse effects, in particular cerebellar atrophy, have been seen in patients who have taken phenytoin over a long period of time. One study found that long-term use of Dilantin saw an increased risk of Dilantin adverse effects including cerebellar atrophy.

Long-term use of phenytoin coupled with high dose of the medication seems to be a cause of cerebellar atrophy. In this same vein, it has also been found that the Dilantin adverse effects may be reversible if the patient stops taking phenytoin. Sometimes, however, certain muscle conditions may continue even after the patient has stopped taking Dilantin to treat seizures. This may occur as a result of acute toxicity of phenytoin or long-term use of the drug.

If you or someone you love has experienced Dilantin adverse effects such as cerebellar atrophy or have suffered stroke-like symptoms after or while taking Dilantin, you may benefit from speaking with an attorney.

While legal compensation cannot make up for pain and suffering due to Dilantin adverse effects, it may help alleviate the financial burden due to medical costs and lost wages.