Dilantin (Phenytoin) is one of the oldest antiepileptic drugs available in the United States. It was developed over one hundred years ago to treat victims of electroshock therapy.

The drug works by decreasing the speed of the electrical signals between the body and brain, ultimately helping to control seizures.

By 1940 doctors discovered that the drug was an effective treatment against various forms of epilepsy, cementing its place in the medical community.

However, Dilantin has been associated with several severe long term side effects, including severe allergic reactions and several forms of brain atrophy.

Specific side effects associated with Dilantin include diplopia, dysarthria, lack of coordination, drowsiness, and focal cerebral atrophy, or cerebellar atrophy.

The brain atrophy conditions are linked to cerebral degeneration, which can affect the patient’s movement, coordination, and speech.

Overview of Dilantin Focal Cerebral Atrophy and Cerebellar Atrophy

Cerebral atrophy occurs when the brain’s tissue starts to deteriorate, and loses neurons and the ability to connect them. This condition can be generalized, affecting the entire organ, or it can be focal, affecting only a certain area of the brain.

Cerebellar atrophy specifically describes the deterioration of the cerebellum, a portion of the brain that sits under the cerebrum behind the brain stem, controlling muscle coordination. Cerebellar atrophy affects the patient’s posture, coordination, and speech.

Multiple studies have linked long term Dilantin use to brain atrophy. At this point in time, experts are unsure why Dilantin may be inducing these reactions, but suspect it is linked to drug toxicity of the brain.

A study published in 2003 found that moderate to severe atrophy was linked to long term use of Dilantin. A 2007 study utilizing MRI diagnostic images also showed that Dilantin may cause cerebral atrophy.

Research shows that these conditions generally appear in patients with higher amounts of phenytoin, Dilantin’s main ingredient, in their systems. Some cases of brain atrophy have also been observed in patients within normal therapeutic ranges though.