The patient population and medical community are concerned over the side effects associated with long-term Dilantin exposure, including potential brain damage.

Long-term Dilantin exposure has been linked to cerebellar atrophy, a type of focal cerebral atrophy, in which the cerebellum deteriorates and loses neurological connections. While the exact cause for this is not known, it has been linked to high doses and long-term use of Dilantin.

Cerebellar atrophy is a condition characterized by the deterioration of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is located in the rear of the brain, and it plays a significant role in controlling balance, coordination, and speech.

This means that if any damage or deterioration occurs to the cerebellum, it could result in problems with speech and movement. Symptoms for cerebellar atrophy are similar to stroke side effects including:

• Unsteady or Lurching Walking Gait
• Slow, Unsteady, or Jerky Movement in Arms or Legs
• Slow and Slurred Speech
• Memory Loss
• Nystagmus (Small Rapid Eye Movements)

Overview of Long-Term Dilantin Exposure

While this complication is fairly unusual, multiple studies have found higher chances in cases of long-term Dilantin exposure. The chances of cerebellar atrophy increase in patients who have had traumatic head injuries or are suffering from degenerative disease.

While there could be multiple contributing factors to cerebellar atrophy, studies over the years have found that long-term Dilantin exposure increases the chances. One study to examine this alleged correlation was done in 1994, when researchers noticed Dilantin patients had significantly smaller cerebella.

This study was initially conducted to see how Dilantin’s treatment mechanism manages electrical signals in the brain, comparing Dilantin patients to non exposed patients. The data came from an epilepsy center treating 36 patients who were prescribed Dilantin to treat partial epilepsy.

In 2003, a similar study was conducted and found an association between long-term Dilantin exposure and cerebellar atrophy.

The researchers examined patients who had both long-term and short-term Dilantin prescriptions, and they found the chances of cerebellar atrophy were higher in patients with phenytoin levels above therapeutic range.

Dilantin is one of the oldest and most reliable antiepileptic medications in the United States, prescribed to patients since the 1950s. This medication works by slowing down the electrical signals in the brain to prevent the onset of seizures. Dilantin is supposed to help patients live a relatively uninterrupted lifestyle, with minimal epileptic events.

However, the complications associated long-term Dilantin exposure have caused major concern in the patient population and medical community. If treated quickly, this effects of this condition can be potentially reversed, but the treatment options vary between patients.

Due to the severity of the complications associated with long-term Dilantin exposure, it is important for drug manufacturers to include all potential side effects on the drug’s warning label. A patient who develops cerebellar atrophy or other side effects from long-term Dilantin exposure could have a legal claim against the pharmaceutical company.