Lawyers are investigating claims of cerebellum atrophy in patients who have taken the epilepsy drug Dilantin.

Dilantin, the brand-name for the drug phenytoin, is a common antiepileptic drug. One side effect of the drug is cerebral toxicity that makes it dangerous to the part of the brain that controls voluntary movements like posture, balance, coordination, and speech.

Studies have shown that long-term use of Dilantin can result in cerebellum atrophy, or the degeneration of the cerebellum, impacting movement, coordination, and speech. Cerebral atrophy occurs when the brain loses neurons and the connections between them, decreasing the cerebellum’s ability to perform its functions.

Cerebellum atrophy can be caused by a range of factors, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, seizures, other brain disorders, toxins in the brain, chemotherapy treatments, and use of Dilantin.

Most cases of Dilantin-related cerebellum atrophy are seen in patients who have used the drug above the established therapeutic range. However, the condition can also occur when the drug was ingested in a normal range.

Scientists have studied the connection between the drug and the development of cerebellum atrophy. Allegedly, the cerebellar toxicity that has been established as a known side effect of long term use of Dilantin has been proven to cause cerebellar atrophy.

Additionally, a separate 2003 study found a connection between long term use of Dilantin and cerebellum atrophy. Other studies have shown that children, as well as adults, are susceptible to developing cerebellum atrophy as a result of taking Dilantin.

Symptoms of cerebellar atrophy include:

• Walking with an unsteady, lurching gait, which often coincides with a tremor in the main part of the body that causes back and forth movements
• Unsteady, slow, or jerky movements in the limbs
• Slow and/or slurred speech
• Small rapid movements of the eyes, a condition known as nystagmus
• Memory loss

These symptoms are similar to those experienced with a stroke, and can make physical tasks difficult.

Cerebellar atrophy is a serious condition, but happily, recovery is possible when patients stop taking Dilantin. To safely stop taking Dilantin, patients should consult their doctor, who can properly monitor withdrawal from the drug.

However, in some cases, patients who suffered cerebellum atrophy from taking Dilantin suffered permanent brain damage. One of the injuries that has been reported to be permanent in some cases is cerebellar ataxia, or a lack of muscle coordination. Permanent damage has reportedly most often occurred in patients who took Dilantin as chronic treatment, or in patients who experienced acute cerebellar toxicity before developing cerebellar atrophy.

If you took Dilantin and subsequently developed cerebellum atrophy, you may have a legal claim. Lawyers are investigating the potential for a Dilantin cerebellum atrophy lawsuit. Many patients have allegedly been injured by the drug, and could receive compensation for their injuries.

Filing a successful claim of physical injury from the side effects, emotional injury from the trauma of losing capacity because of the drug, or financial injury from medical bills and lost wages due to injury could help you receive monetary compensation.