Despite the popularity of the epilepsy medication Dilantin, the drug has unfortunately been linked with some serious and permanent side effects, including cerebellar degeneration.

Dilantin is an anticonvulsant drug used to manage epileptic seizures. Dilantin is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. It is also marketed under its generic name phenytoin.

Dilantin and the Brain

During an epileptic seizure, a person’s brain fires neurons much more rapidly than normal, which can cause symptoms like uncontrollable movements. Dilantin works to slow down the firing of these neurons, helping to calm or stop the seizures in their early stages.

Since its introduction to the market, Dilantin has become one of the most popular anticonvulsant drugs available. Despite the undeniable popularity, the drug has unfortunately been linked with serious neurological side effects, including cerebellar degeneration. Cerebellar degeneration, also known as cerebellar atrophy, is a degenerative brain condition that can have long-lasting or permanent repercussions for patients.

Cerebellar degeneration is a neurological disease that occurs when the cerebellum (the part of the brain at the back of the skull) deteriorates over time. As the brain gradually loses neurons, it also gradually loses some of the functions of the cerebellum—and this part of the brain is in charge of several functions essential to daily life. Indeed, the cerebellum controls functions including coordination, posture, speech, and balance.

Cerebellar degeneration impairs a patient’s ability to perform these basic functions. This can lead to unstable eye and bodily movements, body tremors, and balance problems. The impairment of these functions can have devastating consequences on a person’s daily life, affecting even simple tasks.

Dilantin and Cerebellar Degeneration

A study of Dilantin’s neurological side effects, published in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy, found that cerebellar degeneration was linked with the use of Dilantin. Further, the study found that the likelihood of a patient being affected by cerebellar degeneration is influenced by amount of exposure to the drug. These factors are the length of time a patient takes the drug, as well as the dosage taken.

While a long-term Dilantin patient or a patient taking a higher dosage of the drug is more likely to suffer cerebellar degeneration, it is still possible for patients who have used the drug for a shorter period of time and at a lower dosage to suffer as well.

For some, treating cerebellar degeneration can be very simple, only requiring that the patient stop taking Dilantin. For others, symptoms of cerebellar degeneration may not be so easy to get rid of. Patients may continue to suffer severe side effects indefinitely.

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar degeneration after using Dilantin, you may be able to file a lawsuit. While filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot make up for the pain and suffering caused by cerebellar degeneration and its side effects, it can help to compensate for injuries and financial problems caused by medical expenses and lost wages.