While Dilantin is a popular anticonvulsant, the drug has been increasingly linked with a serious condition known as Dilantin cerebellar ataxia.

Some of the patients who have been diagnosed with Dilantin cerebellar ataxia after using the medication could be in a position to file a lawsuit against Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin (also known by its generic name, phenytoin) is a widely used medication approved to treat epilepsy. As epileptic seizures occur, a person’s brain fires neurons much more rapidly than normal.

Dilantin works to counteract this effect by slowing down the pace of neurons firing, helping to control the seizures rather than prevent them outright.

Although Dilantin is one of the more popular anticonvulsants and used across the country, it has actually been associated with serious and potentially permanent complications, including Dilantin cerebellar ataxia. Other Dilantin side effects including diplopia, dysarthria, incoordination, drowsiness, and others.

A growing number of studies are surfacing that connect this popular drug with Dilantin cerebellar ataxia. One such study appeared in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy which showed a link between long-term use of Dilantin and a greater risk of developing Dilantin cerebellar ataxia.

Indeed, the study found that the longer a patient takes Dilantin—and the higher the dose—the more likely they are to develop Dilantin cerebellar ataxia symptoms.

Sometimes, treatment for patients who are diagnosed with Dilantin cerebellar ataxia is simply stopping their drug intake. Patients can usually be treated for this condition by withdrawing from Dilantin while being carefully monitored by a doctor.

However, for some, Dilantin cerebellar ataxia symptoms may become a permanent part of their lives.

What is Dilantin Cerebellar Ataxia?

Patients who have been taken Dilantin, especially those who have been exposed to the drug long-term and at higher dosages, should be aware of the growing link between the popular anti-epilepsy drug and Dilantin cerebellar ataxia.

Dilantin cerebellar ataxia symptoms affect the cerebellum, which is a part of the brain responsible for many basic body functions, including sensory abilities, voluntary movement, balance, and speech.

Essentially, cerebellar ataxia is the degeneration of the cerebellum. As one might expect, a condition that attacks the cerebellum can cause major problems. Indeed, Dilantin cerebellar ataxia symptoms include loss of balance, tremors and unstable eye movements.

Patients suffering from cerebellar ataxia often move with slow, jerky movements and their speech is slurred.

For some, Dilantin cerebellar ataxia symptoms are reversible, but other are left with permanent complications. Higher dosages of Dilantin and more long-term usage has been linked with an increased risk of permanent cerebellar ataxia symptoms.

Dilantin Lawsuits

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar ataxia symptoms or a similar issue after taking the anti-seizure medication Dilantin, you may be able to join a phenytoin lawsuit investigation.

While a lawsuit cannot adequately make up for pain and suffering from cerebral ataxia symptoms, it can help compensate for medical expenses and lost wages.