Phenytoin, brand name Dilantin, is undoubtedly a popular epilepsy medication. However, some users of phenytoin drugs allege that the phenytoin side effects are more serious than its benefits, and can be severe and long-lasting.

Some patients who have suffered from phenytoin side effects have chosen to file a lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer, alleging that the company failed to give adequate warning about these risks.

Background of Phenytoin

Phenytoin an anticonvulsant, a type of drug used to treat epilepsy. Phenytoin is also sold under the brand name Dilantin, manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc.

Epileptic patients often suffer from seizures. During a seizure, the patient’s brain fires neurons rapidly, leading to uncontrollable physical movements. For some patients, these seizures are more severe than for others. Phenytoin and other anticonvulsants are used to counteract the effects of seizures by preventing the neurons from firing so rapidly, which minimizes the effects of seizures.

Unfortunately, patients have reported some very serious phenytoin side effects after taking the medication—serious enough that patients are left with long-lasting injuries.

Phenytoin Side Effects

It is completely normal for medications to come with the risk of certain mild side effects, which should go away on their own without further treatment. Other, more serious risks should be considered relatively rare, and all medication side effects should have adequate warnings.

Phenytoin side effects may include:

• Cerebellar atrophy
• Diplopia
• Dysarthria
• Incoordination
• Drowsiness

Although there are severa othersl, one of the most severe phenytoin side effects is cerebellar atrophy.

Cerebellar Atrophy Phenytoin Side Effects

Essentially, cerebellar atrophy is a brain condition in which the cerebellum’s tissue degenerates, losing neurons. Since the cerebellum controls certain essential movements such as coordination, speech, posture, and balance, when the cerebellum is damaged by degenerative brain condition like this, major bodily functions can be impaired.

For some, treatment of this condition may be as simple as stopping their intake of phenytoin. Unfortunately, others face more permanent problems, and are forced to deal with phenytoin side effects as a permanent part of their lives.

A study on phenytoin side effects like cerebellar atrophy was recently published in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy. The study found that long-term phenytoin patients are much more likely to develop phenytoin cerebellar atrophy.

This is also true of patients who take phenytoin at higher dosages. Of course, it is also possible for patients who take phenytoin for shorter amounts of time and at lower dosages are also at risk of developing cerebellar atrophy, but this is less likely. Taking phenytoin for a longer period of time as well as at a higher dosage can place patients at an even greater risk.

Filing a Phenytoin Side Effects Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar atrophy or other phenytoin side effects after taking the popular anticonvulsant medication, you may be able to join a phenytoin lawsuit investigation. While a lawsuit cannot adequately make up for pain and suffering caused by phenytoin side effects, it can help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.