Cerebral atrophy is one of the most serious Dilantin complications patients may face, but many do not know about this side effect.

In fact, Dilantin is one of the most popular anticonvulsants currently available, despite a variety of serious Dilantin complications, including brain atrophy.

Like most medications, Dilantin comes with several Dilantin complications that are mild and go away on their own.

But some patients, especially those who have been exposed to higher dosages of Dilantin over longer periods of time, may be at risk of developing cerebral atrophy – a dangerous brain disease.

While the popular anticonvulsant Dilantin is in widespread use, long-term use of Dilantin has been linked to serious side effects, including brain damage.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin is a popular epilepsy drug or anticonvulsant used to stop seizures in their early stages, before they have a chance to progress.

As a person experiences a seizure, their brain fires neurons at an increasingly rapid rate, causing their body to convulse. Dilantin targets these neurons, preventing them from firing so rapidly and controlling the seizure’s effects before it progresses.

However, despite the drug’s popularity, it does not come without serious Dilantin complications—some of which patients may not even know exist.

Dilantin Complications: Cerebral Atrophy

Cerebral atrophy is one of the most severe Dilantin complications. Cerebral atrophy is a condition that affects the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain located under the cerebrum and behind the brain stem.

The cerebellum is responsible for a great deal of basic body movement, including coordination, speech, posture, and balance.

When a person suffers from cerebral atrophy, the brain tissue in the cerebellum begins to degenerate, losing neurons. Over time, this degeneration can cause severe and irreversible damage, causing unstable eye movement, tremors, imbalance issues, and lack of control over body movements.

While these long-term use of Dilantin complications are not directly life-threatening, they can make basic daily tasks difficult, unsteady or, in the worst cases, impossible. At the very least, a patient’s life will be inevitably and dramatically altered.

For some, cerebral atrophy treatment is as simple as stopping Dilantin intake. For others, it can be impossible. For these people, Dilantin complications like cerebral atrophy can become a permanent fixture in their lives.

Long-Term Use of Dilantin Can Increase Risk

In a study published in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy, researchers found that long-term use of Dilantin, especially at a higher dosage, makes patients more likely to develop serious Dilantin complications like cerebral atrophy than patients who take regular levels of Dilantin for a short period of time.

It should be noted that even for patients who have taken Dilantin for a short period of time at a normal dose, cerebral atrophy is a risk.

Lawsuits Over Dilantin Complications

While filing a Dilantin lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of Dilantin complications caused by long-term use of Dilantin, 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.