Phenytoin, known by the brand name Dilantin, is the grandfather of seizure medications. Its development started a whole commercial influx of new drugs for epilepsy after its successful introduction to the marketplace in 1938.

While it is rarely relied upon as the first choice in the treatment of seizures anymore, there are still many patients for whom it is prescribed effectively and inexpensively.

Dilantin brain side effects, for those that have remained on phenytoin for years, have been identified and further beleaguer this pioneer of drugs. Among those Dilantin brain side effects is an observable shrinkage of a lobe located behind and near the base of the brain stem.

This lobe is known as the cerebellum. It is responsible for the timing, coordination, and delicate balance involved with voluntary muscle movements including speech, attending to surrounding sensory detail, posture and ambulatory gait.

Dilantin brain side effects that include atrophy of the cerebellum are most frequently seen as a change in how the patient walks. The gait of such an atrophy sufferer has been described as lurching and tentative. There may be issues with balance that lead to easy stumbling. Often a back and forth tremble of the upper torso has been seen in combination with how the patient walks.

While cerebellar atrophy Dilantin brain side effects are most commonly noted through this change in walking, it is by no means the only sign that there has been shrinkage to this motor control area.

Odd eye behavior in which the eyes move from side-to-side is often seen. This phenomenon is called nystagmus. It can easily be misunderstood as sinister and suspicious, as those with “shift” eyes are often said to be guilty of something. It is, in fact, motor in origin.

Dilantin brain side effects involving cerebellar atrophy can also show with slower thought processes and a pronounced hesitancy and slurring of speech. This slurring again may be motor but can be attributed to the drunkenness of the patient other drug-induced states if not carefully observed.

Are Dilantin Brain Side Effects Temporary or Permanent?

The difficulty in determining whether cerebellar atrophy is linked to long-standing use of phenytoin is hindered by the fact that seizure disorders themselves can have this effect in and of themselves. As far back as 1994, a study was undertaken which controlled for this factor.

The conclusion afterwards was that there was a link between Dilantin use over the long haul and shrinkage of this area of the brain. Dilantin-taking epilepsy patients had much smaller cerebellums overall when MRI results were viewed and compared with epilepsy patients being treated with other seizure medications.

While it is unknown whether an average cerebellar size can be regained along with full and complete motor function when Dilantin is removed, there are indications that improvements have been noted. It is never recommended to remove oneself from any treatment regimen without fully consulting the prescribing physician. All changes should be undertaken with appropriate medical advice and guidance.