Patients who have taken the anti-seizure medication Dilantin (Phenytoin) may be at risk of suffering from Dilantin cerebellar atrophy.

Studies suggest that using Dilantin long term may be linked to serious Dilantin side effects such has an increased risk of degeneration of the part of the brain known as the cerebellum.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin is a popular medication used to prevent and control seizures in patients who suffer from epilepsy.  The medication can be used to treat tonic-clonic epilepsy, convulsive seizures, epileptic seizures, seizures or fits in neurosurgery, and the prevention of seizures following a head injury.

Recently concerns have surfaced about Dilantin side effects and the medication’s association with cerebellar degeneration.

Dilantin Cerebellar Atrophy: Symptoms and Treatment

Dilantin cerebellar atrophy is a condition involving the degeneration of the cerebellum.  The cerebellum is the section of the brain that is responsible for voluntary muscle movements, balance, and posture.  A person suffering from Dilantin cerebellar atrophy may have an unsteady gait, trouble speaking or swallowing, or poor muscle control.

There are several potential causes of cerebellar atrophy.  Symptoms of the condition can occur slowly or rapidly depending on what caused the degeneration.  Cerebellar atrophy can be caused by degenerative neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, tumors, seizures, stroke, brain injuries, or long term phenytoin use.

It is alleged that patients have developed cerebellar atrophy after severe phenytoin intoxication Phenytoin, or Dilantin, can accumulate in the cerebral cortex over extended periods of time.  This accumulation can cause atrophy of the cerebellum.

In many cases recovery from Dilantin cerebellar atrophy is possible.  Treatment generally requires the patient to stop taking Dilantin.  Patients should not stop taking any medications before seeking the advice of their prescribing physician or another medical professional.  In some cases, when cerebellar atrophy injuries are too severe or too much degeneration has occurred the injuries may be permanent.

Dilantin Lawsuits

Patients who have suffered from Dilantin side effects may be able to file a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.  Lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers generally claim that the company violated consumer protection laws and allege claims for negligence, failure to warn, breach of warranty, fraud and misrepresentation.

In many cases plaintiffs will ask for both compensatory and punitive damages.  Compensatory damages may cover the plaintiff’s pain and suffering, lost wages due to the injury, and past and future medical bills.

Punitive damages are brought against a company to punish the company for its wrongful action Punitive damages are generally brought with the hope that they will teach the defendant a lesson and prevent the defendant and other similarly situated companies from prioritizing profits over consumer safety.

A Dilantin lawsuit may be brought by any person who has personally suffered from Dilantin side effects or by family members who have lost a loved one due to Dilantin side effects. A consumer protection attorney can help potential plaintiffs decide if bringing a Dilantin lawsuit is right for them.  Attorneys are currently looking for potential plaintiffs to join a Dilantin lawsuit investigation.