As one of the most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant drugs, phenytoin (brand name Dilantin) has been a lifesaver for some patients whose seizures were not able to be controlled with other medications.

Some patients experience an increased quality of life after taking phenytoin, but others may experience a worsening of their condition if they are one of the unlucky ones to experience phenytoin brain atrophy. If you or someone you love has suffered from brain atrophy or other side effects of phenytoin, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

Basics of Phenytoin

Phenytoin is a popular anticonvulsant medication, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc., and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 1953. Since then, phenytoin has become one of the most widely used anticonvulsants on the market. It works to reduce seizure activity in the brain by slowing down the rapid firing of the brain’s neurons.

In addition to treating the abnormal brain activity of seizures, Dilantin has also been prescribed to a number of patients in an off-label fashion.

Many patients who experience mood disorders have benefited from the addition of this drug in their treatment regimen, such as those with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, Tourette’s syndrome and more.

Phenytoin Side Effects

Despite its wide range of use and efficacy for many, Dilantin use can come with a price. Phenytoin has been associated with the development of brain atrophy, or shrinkage. The phenytoin brain atrophy experienced by patients causes a degradation in the tissue in an area of the brain called the cerebellum.

The cerebellum is responsible for the coordination of balance and movement. It governs gross motor skills such as walking as well as fine motor skills such as writing, and everything in between. It also helps to coordinate muscles used for swallowing and speaking and affects the muscles responsible for eye movements.

With phenytoin brain atrophy, the cerebellum begins to degrade and the connections between brain cells are lost, affecting both the structure and the function of this important brain region.

This can lead to loss of precision in a number of basic movements, causing unsteady walking, slow or slurred speech, difficulty balancing, poor coordination, and rapid eye movement, among others.

Be aware of cerebellar degeneration symptoms in those taking phenytoin, which can be similar to stroke symptoms. In some cases, those affected by cerebellar degeneration may even appear drunk.

Phenytoin Studies

Initially, physicians thought that perhaps the seizure activity and a person’s brain was responsible for the cerebellar atrophy symptoms that were observed in patients. However, numerous imaging studies and case studies found that phenytoin brain atrophy was likely caused by the drug itself and not simply because of the presence of seizures.

Studies of this nature cannot specifically indicate a cause due to ethical considerations, but they can indicate that an association is present. Putting two and two together, with the temporal association of the onset of taking the drug and the onset of symptoms, it is theorized that phenytoin brain atrophy is a result of the drug itself.

Studies have shown that the longer a person takes phenytoin, and the higher the dose, the more likely they are to develop cerebellar atrophy. However, patients taking phenytoin at any dose and for any length of time may still face a certain amount of risk.

In some cases, patients may simply be able to stop taking Dilantin (while being monitored by a doctor) in order to alleviate these associated side effects. Unfortunately, in some cases, these complications may have permanent consequences.

Have You Suffered from Phenytoin Brain Atrophy?

If you or a loved one has suffered from phenytoin brain atrophy, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug manufacturer. Many patients who have suffered from phenytoin brain atrophy have felt that the manufacturer did not do enough in its power to appropriately inform physicians and patients of the risks of developing this serious brain condition.

Patients may consider consulting a products liability attorney to determine their eligibility for filing a phenytoin brain atrophy lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer. Pursuing litigation can be an intimidating process, so Top Class Actions connects you with experienced attorneys. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Successful product liability claims can help recover damages related to medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earnings and more. An attorney can provide a free consultation to review the specific details of your case to help you decide if filing a phenytoin brain atrophy lawsuit is right for you.