Dilantin long term side effects may include cerebellar atrophy, a condition which can lead to serious neurological problems including cerebellar ataxia.

Dilantin and its generic form phenytoin is a seizure medication commonly prescribed to epilepsy patients who experience grand mal seizures and partial complex seizures. The drug may also be used to prevent these seizures in brain surgery patients before and after their procedures.

Seizures are prevented by Dilantin because the drug stabilizes the neurological response to environmental stimuli. This means that common triggers such as flashing lights are less likely to elicit a seizure response. However, some serious long term Dilantin side effects are reported by patients.

There are a variety of non-seizure conditions which Dilantin is sometimes used to treat. Mental health conditions treatable by Dilantin include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, aggressive behavior, Tourette’s syndrome, and ADHD.

Although the drug has multiple uses, Dilantin is most commonly used as a seizure medication. However, the drug may not be entirely safe, as scientific evidence suggests that Dilantin may cause serious neurological damage.

Among the most concerning of Dilantin long term side effects is cerebellar atrophy, a degenerative neurological condition which affects the connections in the cerebellum. Cerebellar atrophy is often caused by neurological conditions or brain injuries including brain damage, stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, seizures, and cerebellar disorders.

In a person unaffected by Dilantin side effects, the cerebellum helps create smooth, balanced movements and coordination, as well as even speech patterns. When the cerebellum is damaged by Dilantin side effects, these functions are impaired and the neurological connections deteriorate. The deterioration of these connections can cause symptoms which are very similar to those of a stroke, including tremors, shaking, unstable eye movements, slurred or slow speech, memory loss, and cerebellar ataxia.

This condition refers to the abnormal movement systems associated with cerebellar degeneration. Although cerebellar ataxia will look different in different patients depending on which connections are weakened, it commonly involves staggering, a broadened stance, and an abnormal gait.

How to Know Your Cerebellar Atrophy is Influenced by Dilantin

Most people taking Dilantin over a long period of time might not even be aware of the possible risk of developing cerebellar atrophy. When cerebellar atrophy develops because of a long-term Dilantin use, this can have significant impacts on the patient’s motor function.

Dilantin causes cerebral issues in some patients because it can attack the neurons in the cerebellum, ultimately forcing those neurons to break down and die. The severity of how this condition emerges in a patient can vary but usually begins with difficulty walking.

When visiting the doctor to report these side effects, a physician might also mention the term ataxia. This is due to nerve or brain damage that leads to loss of motor control of loss of balance. The elderly and pregnant women are more likely to develop cerebellar atrophy caused by Dilantin, although it can affect many other patients who use this drug.

When visiting with your doctor, bring up how long you have been taking Dilantin and other relevant details about your medication regime. This can help your physician determine if you have suffered serious side effects from this drug.

While a doctor might be able to spot some of these symptoms during a physical exam, further testing is sometimes required to diagnose cerebellar atrophy. MRI and CT scans can be used to see whether the patient has experienced volume loss in the cerebellum. Additionally, according to Radiopaedia, affected patients might present with what is known as calvarial thickening because of long-term exposure to phenytoin.

Research on Cerebellar Atrophy

Studies have placed cerebellar atrophy among Dilantin long term side effects for decades, with the earliest studies conducted in the 1990s. In 1994, a study aimed to examine the link between the two while also considering that seizures, which Dilantin is prescribed to treat, can also cause the disease. Even when the researchers analyzed the data considering the effects of seizures, Dilantin was still shown to be connected to cerebellar atrophy.

Further studies have followed since the initial studies were conducted in the 1990s. These studies have provided more information regarding Dilantin side effects including which patients are affected and at what drug serum levels cerebellar atrophy is most common. Evidence shows that the condition can affect all populations of patients and is most likely to occur when drug serum levels are outside the therapeutic range.

Luckily, many patients who suffer from Dilantin side effects are able to recover when treatment with the drug is discontinued. However, complete recovery may not be possible. Patients have experienced prolonged symptoms even after discontinuing the drug, with persistent cerebellar ataxia being the most common.