Some users of the popular medication phenytoin, brand name Dilantin, claim that the drug’s benefits are not worth risking severe and long-lasting phenytoin side effects.

Phenytoin Basics

Phenytoin is a medication manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc., and is used to treat epilepsy.  The medication is an anticonvulsant. Phenytoin is also sold under the brand name Dilantin.

Patients with epilepsy suffer from seizures in which the brain’s neurons fire rapidly, which leads to varying degrees of uncontrollable physical movements. Phenytoin works to counteract these effects by preventing the neurons from firing so rapidly, which minimizes the seizures and lessens their impact on the individual.

While this can be a great help to patients with epilepsy, there are some serious phenytoin side effects that patients have reported—serious enough that patients are left with long-lasting injuries.

Phenytoin Side Effects

While any medication will come with certain mild side effects that go away on their own without further treatment, phenytoin side effects can be severe or even permanent in nature.  It’s possible patients have not been sufficiently warned about these long-lasting or permanent side effects. Despite its widespread usage, phenytoin has been linked with the following severe complications:

• Cerebellar atrophy
• Diplopia
• Dysarthria
• Incoordination
• Drowsiness
• Others

Cerebellar atrophy is one of the most severe phenytoin side effects. A study on phenytoin cerebellar atrophy was recently published in the journal Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy.  The study found that the length of time a patient is exposed to phenytoin and the level of dosage a person takes can significantly impact how likely a person is to suffer from phenytoin cerebellar atrophy.

Patients who take phenytoin long-term are much more likely to develop phenytoin cerebellar atrophy. While patients who take phenytoin for only a short period of time may also be at risk of phenytoin cerebellar atrophy, this is a less likely scenario. Patients who take phenytoin at higher dosages are also more likely to develop phenytoin cerebellar atrophy. Combining these factors—taking phenytoin for a longer period of time at a higher dosage—places patients at even greater risk.

Phenytoin Side Effects: Cerebellar Atrophy

Essentially, cerebellar atrophy is a brain condition in which the cerebellum’s tissue degenerates, losing neurons. The cerebellum controls certain essential movements such as coordination, speech, posture, and balance.  When the cerebellum is damaged by degenerative brain condition like cerebellar atrophy, major bodily functions can be impaired.

For some, treatment of this condition may be as simple as stopping their intake of phenytoin. Unfortunately, others face more permanent problems and are forced to deal with phenytoin side effects as a permanent part of their lives.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Phenytoin Side Effects

If you or someone you know has suffered from cerebellar atrophy or other phenytoin side effects after taking the anticonvulsant medication you may be able to join a phenytoin lawsuit investigation. While a lawsuit cannot adequately make up for pain and suffering caused by phenytoin side effects, it can help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.