The widely used anticonvulsant drug Dilantin may have some serious risks, including dangerous Dilantin cerebral atrophy adverse effects.

Dilantin is a popular anticonvulsant  drug (epilepsy medication)—indeed, it is one of the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsants currently available on the market.

Dilantin is used to stop seizures in their early stages before they can progress.

But even though Dilantin is indisputably popular, it has also been implicated in a growing number of reports linking the drug to serious complications like Dilantin cerebral atrophy adverse effects.

A certain number of complications are to be expected from any medication, and this is true of anticonvulsant drugs like Dilantin as well.

However, Dilantin cerebral atrophy adverse effects may offer substantially more risk than benefit.

A medication’s potential benefits should outweigh the potential risks, but Dilantin cerebral atrophy side effects have the power to make drastic negative changes to a patient’s life, and may even be permanent.

Dilantin Cerebral Atrophy Adverse Effects

Cerebral atrophy is a degenerative brain condition that is increasingly reported as a side effect of Dilantin.

In most of these cases, patients have reported taking Dilantin on a long-term basis. However, patients taking Dilantin for only short periods of time are also at risk of developing Dilantin cerebral atrophy adverse effects, though this is a less common scenario.

Indeed, patients taking Dilantin for long periods of time—especially at a higher dosage—are more likely to suffer from Dilantin cerebral atrophy adverse effects than those who take Dilantin for only short periods of time at regular or even low dosages.

Long-term Dilantin usage compounded with high dosages leads to a heightened risk factor.

What is Cerebral Atrophy?

Cerebral degeneration, a condition that cause the loss of brain cells over time, can be prompted by a variety of injuries or neurological problems.

However, Dilantin has recently also been linked to certain medications, including anticonvulsant medications like Dilantin.

In particular, the type of cerebral atrophy found in patients taking Dilantin targets the part of the brain known as the cerebellum.

The cerebellum is essential, and is the part of the brain that controls vital movements like coordination, speech, posture, and balance.

As cerebellar degeneration causes the part of the brain responsible for movement to lose more brain cells, this degeneration can cause a patient to be heavily impaired, which can cause a number of serious and long-lasting problems for the patient.

As the cerebellum continues to degenerate, symptoms get progressively worse for patients.

• Dementia
• Seizures
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of comprehension or reading ability

There is no cure currently available to treat cerebral atrophy, so treatment is focused on combating the symptoms of Dilantin cerebral atrophy adverse effects. If the condition was caused by an infection, symptoms may be stopped from worsening by treating the infection itself.

However, for patients whose cerebral degeneration was caused by Dilantin risks, stopping intake of the drug may lead to alleviation of some symptoms.

While filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of Dilantin risks, it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills and even lost wages.

If you or someone you love has experienced cerebral atrophy or cerebral atrophy symptoms after long-term use of Dilantin, there may be a link, and you may be able to file a lawsuit.