Dilantin brain side effects have become prevalent concerns to the patient population and medical community, as patients may experience a serious brain condition known as cerebral atrophy.

With several studies suggesting cerebral atrophy may be linked to Dilantin brain side effects, patients are now wary against any new difficulties of coordination and speech.

Dilantin (phenytoin) is one of America’s most popular and oldest seizure medications, often prescribed to patients suffering from various forms of epilepsy.

Damage to the cerebellum is one of the most significant complications reportedly related to Dilantin brain side effects, as it can cause permanent damage to the patient’s ability to speak and move.

What is Cerebral Atrophy?

Cerebral atrophy is a condition affecting the patient’s coordination and speech pattern, due to the cerebellum becoming damaged or deteriorated.

This condition can either be focal or generalized, affecting only certain parts of the brain like the cerebellum or the entirety of the brain respectively. While there have been many factors linked to cerebral atrophy like environment or disease, drug toxicity has been indicated to raise the chances of occurrence.

The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for movement regulation, balance, coordination, and speech. So when patients begin notice cerebral atrophy symptoms, they often experience difficulty with walking and talking.

These symptoms are highly similar in patients who have suffered stroke, with cerebral atrophy patients also experiencing permanent brain damage.

Dilantin Brain Side Effects

Cerebral atrophy was first linked to Dilantin brain side effects in 1994, when a study analyzed how phenytoin products may be helping patients manage seizures.

Researchers noticed patients prescribed phenytoin had significantly smaller cerebelli compared to non exposed patients, leading to further investigation.

In addition, long term phenytoin patients had worse damage to their cerebelli compared to shorter term or non exposed patients. A later study conducted in 2003 had found that moderate to severe atrophy was found in long term Dilantin patients.

Furthermore, studies have also found that children could also be affected by Dilantin brain side effects after results indicated cerebral atrophy in pediatric patients prescribed phenytoin sodium.

As mentioned before, patients suffering from Dilantin brain side effects could experience permanent brain damage and should consult their physicians as soon as possible. Symptoms of cerebral atrophy patients can experience include:

Unsteady or lurching walk

• Tremors
• Slow, unsteady, jerky movements in arms or legs
• Slow and slurred speech
• Nystagmus (small rapid eye movements)

With early diagnosis, there are a variety of treatment options patients can discuss with their physicians to contain the damage. In the best cases focal cerebral atrophy can be reversed in the early stages, but patients can probably expect physical therapy or drug treatment therapy.

Even though Dilantin brain side effects can cause serious damage to patients, Pfizer Inc. and generic manufacturers allegedly failed to warn against them. Patients who developed Dilantin cerebral atrophy may be able to file legal action, and should contact a specialized lawyer to determine eligibility.