According to a growing number of injured patients, the side effects of Dilantin toxicity can be serious and even permanent.

Dilantin Basics

Dilantin is a commonly prescribed anticonvulsant or epilepsy medication used to stop seizures in their early stages.

While Dilantin is one of the most widely used anticonvulsants currently available on the market, a growing number of Dilantin’s users are reporting experiencing side effects of Dilantin toxicity.

Some of these side effects are the mild complications that are to be expected from any medication. Others, however, may be far more severe. Indeed, side effects of Dilantin toxicity may be more extreme than its packaging and advertising warns about.

One of the most dangerous side effects of Dilantin toxicity is known as cerebral atrophy, a degenerative brain condition. Cerebral atrophy can make drastic changes in a patient’s life, and its effects may be permanent.

Side Effects of Dilantin Toxicity

The side effects of Dilantin toxicity tend to be more severe when a patient has been exposed more heavily to the drug over a longer period of time. However, patients who have been exposed to less of the drug—over a shorter period of time, for instance, or at a lower dosage—may also be at risk of developing this degenerative brain condition, though this is less common.

Cerebral Atrophy Background

Cerebral degeneration, a condition that causes the loss of brain cells over time, can be prompted by a variety of injuries or neurological problems. However, cerebral atrophy has recently also been linked as one of the side effects of Dilantin toxicity.

As the name suggests, cerebral atrophy targets the brain. With respect to Dilantin toxicity, the specific part of the brain known as the cerebellum is targeted.

The cerebellum is essential, and is the part of the brain that controls vital movements like coordination, speech, posture, and balance. As degeneration causes the brain to lose more brain cells, these motions can be heavily impaired, which can cause a number of serious and long-lasting problems for the patient.

As degeneration continues, symptoms get progressively worse for patients, including the following:

• Dementia
• Seizures
• Difficulty speaking
• Loss of comprehension or reading ability

Cerebral Degeneration Treatment

There is no cure currently available to treat cerebral atrophy, so treatment focuses instead on combatting its symptoms. If the condition was caused by an infection, symptoms may be stopped from worsening by treating the infection itself.

However, for patients whose cerebral degeneration was caused by Dilantin, stopping intake of the drug may lead to alleviation of some symptoms. In other cases, the condition may be permanent.

Cerebral Atrophy and Dilantin Lawsuits

While filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of the side effects of Dilantin toxicity, it can help to compensate for financial expenses incurred by medical bills and even lost wages.

If you or someone you love has experienced cerebral atrophy or cerebral atrophy symptoms after long-term use of Dilantin, there may be a link, and you may be able to file a lawsuit.