Epileptic patients who take a drug to control seizures could experience Dilantin side effects.

Negative side effects can include cerebral atrophy, which is the loss of neurons and the connections between them inside the brain.

Dilantin Side Effects Include Loss of Coordination

Side effects of Dilantin on the brain are most likely to affect the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. Posture, balance, coordination and speech are all functions that can be interrupted.

Someone suffering from Dilantin side effects might move with a swaying or stumbling walk, appearing to be drunk when he is not.

Other symptoms can include a loss of coordination of the arms and legs. An affected person might undershoot or overshoot the intended position of their hand, arm, leg or eye.

Dilantin side effects can include:

• Uncoordinated movements of the limbs or trunk; shaking, tremors
• Clumsiness with daily activities
• Difficulty walking; an unsteady, lurching gait
• Slurred speech
• Visual complaints
• Abnormal eye movements
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Rash
• Nausea
• Swollen or tender gums

Researchers Study Dilantin Side Effects

Doctors recognize that seizures alone can cause brain atrophy, but a study allowed for this fact when they compared patients who took Dilantin with those who did not take the anti-seizure drug.

The cerebella of those treated with Dilantin were much smaller than that portion of the brain in non-treated patients. The incidence and severity of cerebellar atrophy were linked to the doses of Dilantin ingested.

Side effects of Dilantin that interfere with the brain are more likely after long-term use of the drug and when drug serum levels reach beyond the therapeutic range.

Even still, some incidents of cerebral atrophy have been noted even when the drug remained within a normal range.

Elderly patients are more at risk for Dilantin side effects. Medications that treat abnormal heart rhythms, alcoholism, ulcers and tuberculosis can also increase the chances of toxicity.

Dilantin also can interfere with the effectiveness of a birth control pill, antidepressants and antibiotics.

Dilantin is such a potent drug that even a small increase in the dose could cause toxicity, so it is important for patients to take it only as recommended.

How to Treat Side Effects of Dilantin

If you have experienced side effects of Dilantin, you should contact a doctor immediately to see if reducing or eliminating the medication is an option. Withdrawal must be monitored by a doctor.

A doctor can evaluate your seizure history, Dilantin dosages and current symptoms to determine what steps to take.

Physical or occupational therapy can sometimes help improve loss of coordination.

Patients may be even more vulnerable to Dilantin side effects if the warnings provided with the drug don’t adequately represent its risks. If you or a loved one have experienced Dilantin side effects, you could be eligible for compensation through a Dilantin lawsuit.