Dilantin, a popular anti-seizure medication, has been in wide use for many years.

However, studies have found Dilantin adverse side effects such as cerebral atrophy can occur with long term use.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin, or phenytoin, is a medication prescribed to treat patients with epilepsy or seizures. Dilantin works by interacting with the brain’s nerve cells.

When a person undergoes a seizure, the brain cells or neurons function at a much higher rate than normal. Dilantin works with those cells to “calm” them and prevents them from firing at such a high rate.

Phenytoin has been around for over a century and Dilantin is one of the most widely used drugs in the world.

Many believed it was a wonder drug, but certain Dilantin adverse side effects have made the medical community and patients question the safety of the drug.

Dilantin Adverse Side Effects: Cerebral Atrophy

One of the unfortunate Dilantin adverse side effects is a condition known as cerebral atrophy.

Cerebral atrophy is an atrophy of the brain. This occurs when the tissue in the brain degenerates and the connectivity between neurons is lessened.

Cerebral atrophy can affect the entire brain (generalized cerebral atrophy) or it can only affect a certain area (focal cerebral atrophy).

Generalized cerebral atrophy means the entire brain has shrunk and degenerated. Focal cerebral atrophy only a particular part of the brain.

Case studies link Dilantin to instances of a particular type of focal cerebral atrophy called cerebellar atrophy. While cerebral atrophy refers to the whole brain, cerebellar atrophy refers to the degeneration of the cerebellum.

The cerebellum has two hemispheres and helps regulate voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination and speech. It is located behind the brain stem underneath the cerebrum.

If the cerebellum is damaged or atrophied, the patient can experience balance problems, tremors and slow movements.

When an individual undergoes cerebellar atrophy, the symptoms may look like the individual has had a stroke. Many normal tasks are now difficult and unsteady.

Dilantin Adverse Side Effects: Causes of Cerebral Atrophy

Although Dilantin has been linked to cerebral atrophy, there are other causes of the serious condition.

Stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors and seizures have all been found to be linked to cerebral atrophy. It has also been connected to toxins in the brain from ethanol and chemotherapy treatments, as well as from phenytoin.

Some studies have made the case that long-term Dilantin users are at risk for developing cerebral atrophy. But Dilantin adverse side effects can occur even when the patient has not used Dilantin long term.

The journal Seizure published a study in 2003 that showed patients who had moderate to severe atrophy were the ones who had been exposed to phenytoin longer. This would include both longer duration as well as higher doses.

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar atrophy after taking Dilantin, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Dilantin attorney can help.