Epilepsy patients concerned about Dilantin adverse side effects may be at risk for developing a movement disorder known as cerebellar ataxia.

Dilantin, also known as phenytoin, is an anti-convulsant medication currently approved by the FDA to help control tonic-clonic and psychomotor seizures and to prevent and treat the seizures that sometimes happen during and after neurosurgery.

It was originally developed over a hundred years ago as a treatment for convulsions that sometimes happened during electroshock therapy.

Within a few decades, it was recognized as the first in a new generation of anti-seizure drugs.

Today, Dilantin is one of the most frequently used drugs in the world.

But despite Dilantin’s widespread use, it creates a risk of side effects just like any other drug. Especially in patients who use Dilantin for long-term therapy, Dilantin adverse side effects may lead to a degeneration of brain tissue known as cerebellar atrophy.

Cerebellar atrophy, sometimes referred to as cerebellar degeneration, is a type of focal cerebral atrophy that affects the cerebellum.

The cerebellum bears a lot of responsibility for control of voluntary movement. So conditions that harm the cerebellum can significantly affect a person’s movement control.

Dilantin Adverse Side Effects

Cerebellar atrophy has long been recognized as a complication that sometimes occurs in epilepsy patients.

For decades, scientists have suspected Dilantin was the cause. But a causal relationship couldn’t be confirmed since cerebellar atrophy could also result from the lack of oxygen caused by epileptic seizures.

Results of more recent studies suggest a stronger link between long-term use of Dilantin and cerebellar atrophy.

One case study published in the Annals of Neurology in 1980 documented the experience of five patients who developed cerebellar degeneration while taking phenytoin.

None of these patients was having the type of seizures that tend to cause a systemic lack of oxygen. However, all the patients had high blood plasma levels of phenytoin.

Based on that evidence, the researchers suggested phenytoin might be the cause of their cerebellar degeneration.

More recent studies show that researchers have become increasingly confident in a link between Dilantin and cerebellar atrophy.

A Japanese study from 1992 notes that “[c]hronic intoxication of phenytoin (PHT) is a well known cause of cerebellar atrophy or irreversible cerebellar ataxia.”

And in 2013, a case study was published of a 16-year-old boy from India whose cerebellar atrophy was determined to be induced by phenytoin.

The Results of Cerebellar Atrophy

These Dilantin adverse side effects can manifest as a set of movement-related symptoms known as cerebellar atrophy.

Typically, patients with cerebellar atrophy have trouble walking, keeping their balance, or maintaining upright posture. A lack of coordination may cause them to trip when walking on stairs or to lose their balance while standing on a moving surface like an escalator or an elevator floor.

Dilantin adverse side effects related to cerebellar atrophy can also affect fine movements.

Patients with cerebellar atrophy may find many ordinary activities of daily living unusually challenging – activities like writing, typing, preparing food or putting on clothes. Speaking and swallowing food may also be impaired.

Because cerebellar atrophy has such far reaching effects, treatment can be complex.

Difficulty moving can threaten a patient’s ability to work and earn income. Preserving their earning potential may require extensive physical and occupational therapy, which themselves can come at significant expense.

If you or someone you love has been impacted by Dilantin side effects like cerebellar atrophy, you may have a legal claim.