A number of studies from the last several years have shown a growing link between the anticonvulsant medication Dilantin and brain degeneration side effects.

Background of Dilantin

Dilantin is one of the most popular anticonvulsant medications available in the U.S. Dilantin and similar medications are used to treat epilepsy.

When a person suffers from an epileptic seizure, the brain’s normal rate of firing neurons drastically increases. Dilantin treats these seizures by preventing the neurons from firing at such a rapid pace. By slowing the neurons down the drug works to stop seizures in their early stages.

Dilantin (also known by its generic name, phenytoin) is one of the more widely used drugs of its kind. Despite its popularity, Dilantin has been linked with some serious side effects.

While all medications come with certain side effects, some are more serious than others. Regardless of the severity of the side effects, consumers deserve to be adequately warned about the potential risks associated with the medications they are taking.

According to some Dilantin patients, Dilantin side effects can be very severe, and patients may not have been given enough warning. Side effects of Dilantin may be severe, lasting, or even permanent in nature.

The Link Between Dilantin and Brain Degeneration

A growing connection between Dilantin and brain degeneration is being uncovered. The specific condition is known as cerebellar atrophy, a condition that causes a patient’s brain tissue to degenerate over time. As one might imagine, this can have severe and lasting effects.

The condition essentially causes brain tissue in the cerebellum (located at the back of one’s skull) to degenerate progressively, losing neurons. Loss of cerebellum tissue can have a devastating effect on a patient’s physical capabilities. This is because the cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for a number of basic functions, including speech, coordination posture, and balance. These side effects can impede a patient’s ability to go about their daily life.

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

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 cerebellar atrophy and Dilantin has also been reported from short-term users taking a lower dosage.

For some patients, all they need to do to alleviate these symptoms is to simply stop taking Dilantin. Unfortunately, other patients who have been diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy may be stuck with these symptoms as a permanent part of their lives.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Dilantin and Brain Degeneration

Patients who have taken the anticonvulsant Dilantin and subsequently suffered from brain degeneration may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by cerebellar atrophy and its symptoms or other serious side effects, it may be able to help compensate for the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.