More and more anticonvulsant patients are coming forward with allegations of suffering the effects of Dilantin and brain degeneration known as cerebellar atrophy. Dilantin is a popular anticonvulsant, but the possibility of cerebellar atrophy can pose a serious or even life-threatening risk.

Basics of Dilantin

One of the most popular epilepsy treatment options in the United States is Dilantin, an anticonvulsant medication. Dilantin works by preventing neurons from firing as rapidly as they do during an epileptic seizure.

Dilantin, which is also sold under its generic name, phenytoin, is one of the most widely used anticonvulsant medications currently available. Though it is undeniably popular, Dilantin has unfortunately been linked with certain serious complications.

Indeed, the link associating Dilantin and brain degeneration from cerebellar atrophy is growing ever-clearer, as more patients are coming forward with their own experiences and as new research is found.

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Essentially, cerebellar atrophy is a form of brain degeneration that affects the cerebellum (the part of the brain located at the back of the skull). Over time, this area of the brain loses neurons, and its functions are affected. Indeed, loss of brain function here can have a dramatic effect on a patient’s basic physical skills, including speech, coordination, posture and balance.

As cerebellar atrophy becomes more serious over time, a patient may suffer from increasingly worsening symptoms: unstable eye movements, uncontrollable body movements, body tremors and balance problems. These side effects from Dilantin and brain degeneration can prevent a patient from going about their daily life as usual.

Dilantin and Brain Degeneration

The Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy published a study on the connection between Dilantin and brain degeneration side effects. The study found that the length of time a patient uses Dilantin drastically affects how likely they are to subsequently develop extreme Dilantin neurological side effects like cerebellar atrophy.

For instance, a long-term Dilantin patient is more likely to develop cerebellar atrophy than a patient who has only used Dilantin for a short time. Similarly, if a patient takes a higher dosage of Dilantin, they are more likely to develop serious Dilantin side effects.

Therefore, long-term Dilantin users who take a higher dosage of the drug are at an even more increased risk of developing serious side effects like cerebellar atrophy.

While a patient is more likely to suffer from cerebellar atrophy symptoms after taking larger doses of Dilantin for a longer period of time, the connection between Dilantin and brain degeneration from cerebellar atrophy has also been reported from short-term users at a lower dosage.

For some patients, treatment simply requires stopping their intake of Dilantin. Unfortunately, some patients who have been diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy may be left with these symptoms as a permanent part of their lives.

Dilantin and Brain Degeneration Lawsuits

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar atrophy symptoms or Dilantin side effects, you may be able to file a Dilantin lawsuit.

A Dilantin lawsuit cannot make up for the pain and suffering caused by cerebellar atrophy and its symptoms, but filing a lawsuit can help to compensate for injuries and financial problems caused by medical expenses and lost wages.