Dilantin’s Long-Term Side Effects
By Andrea Gressman
Dilantin, also referred to as phenytoin, is used to treat those who have seizures and is predominately used for those who suffer from epilepsy. It is specifically used to treat grand mal seizures, which are very serious and can cause the victim to lose consciousness and suffer convulsions. Despite the fact that Dilantin has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for five decades there are still some very severe long-term and short-term side effects of Dilantin. The long-term side effects can also surface after only a few months of use or after using Dilantin for several years.The long-term side effects of Dilantin include the following:
- Bone Weakness
- Gingival Hyperplasia
- Nerve Damage
- Other Long-Term Side Effects
Dilantin Bone Weakness
Bone weakness is a long-term side effect associated with Dilantin use. This can increase in severity if you take Dilantin along with another anti-seizure medication. Medical professionals have advised Dilantin users to take supplemental vitamin D, maintain an exercise program, and to also eat a calcium-rich diet.
Dilantin Gingival Hyperplasia
Gingival hyperplasia is the overgrowth of a person’s gums. This Dilantin side effect occurs most often in children that take Dilantin and does not occur frequently in adults. The medical community has indicated that when Dilantin use is stopped the gingival hyperplasia is stopped as well and there is a possibility that it will reverse itself.
However, the patient should always consult a doctor on whether the discontinued use of Dilantin is the best option or not. If it isn’t possible to stop the medication it has been recommended by some medical professionals to ensure that brushing and flossing of the teeth are done regularly. The patient’s dentist may be able to prescribe something to help treat this Dilantin side effect as well.
Dilantin Nerve Damage
When Dilantin is used there is a chance that the nerves in the patient’s legs can experience damage due to the drug’s side effects. Typically it has been reported that the nerve damage occurs with several years of use with a higher dose. However, the nerve damage can also cause the misfire of the nerves, which can result in reflex faults.
Other Long-Term Side Effects of Dilantin
Dilantin has been linked to a number of side effects when used on a long-term basis. These include acne, excessive growth of body hair (especially on the face), and the face taking on what has been described as a “coarse look”. Dilantin has also been linked to causing brain damage. Although that Dilantin side effect is rare.
Dilantin Short-Term Side Effects
There are a number of short-term side effects linked to Dilantin use. These include the following:
- Difficulties with memory
- Drop in coordination
- Jerky eye movements
- Shaking of hands
- Slurring of speech
- Trouble with concentration
Lack of Warning Leads to Dilantin Lawsuits
One common complaint among many Dilantin users is that the manufacturer has not provided a sufficient warning when it comes to some of these severe side effects. Instead, the user only finds out about these side effects after they are developed and often times when it is too late. As a result, there have been a number of Dilantin lawsuits filed by users in order to receive the compensation they deserve for the side effects they have experienced.
If you have also taken Dilantin and experienced one or more negative side effect you could be eligible to file a Dilantin lawsuit of your own. Visit the Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation right away. You will receive a free legal review from an experienced Dilantin lawsuit attorney.
Updated January 14th, 2013
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15 thoughts onDilantin’s Long-Term Side Effects
I was on dilantin for my epilepsy. Dilantin would swell up my gums and pushed all my teeth out of place causing my teeth to break whenever I tried to chew. Today I have not one tooth because they all were damaged by dilantin! I’m experiencing shame, humiliation harassment, embarrassment and more. I feel I should be able to sue the company that created dilantin for emotional distress!
Have been on Dilantin and plum for 20 odd years, other drugs since 11/12. Am now 70 last 12 months noticed that I have to alter dosage down from 4 tablets to three a day. Problems were vision , balance etc. my doesn’t know why. The only thing is I had an op on my foot 2 .years ago, could this alter my metabolism.
can long term use cause lymphoma or lymp node infection ?
I took it for about 6 months when I was first diagnosed with Epilepsy,and in those 6 months I lost all but 8 of my teeth due to the Painful abscess’s that Dilantin caused. I was finally told by one of the many Orthodontists that cause of all the pain and loss was due to DILANTIN!! I stopped taking it!! I have the problems to this day!@
I have taken dilantin since 2009 and I’m still taking dialitin my gums bleed I’m fixing to get all my teeth pulled out if i can ever efford too because I have damage to my teeth now I fall a lot my hands and arms shake and tingle all the time I have tried to get my doctor to put me on something else but he won’t I was put on another medication for about a month but it didn’t help my seizures I never even knew about sjs until I go to file for my teeth and shakes
I took Dilantin – 4 pills a day for a year and a half for epilepsy. I was a zombie during that time. The doctor said I had to take it, so I stopped going to the doctor. I weaned myself over over 6 months- you can’t quick cold turkey or seizures are guaranteed. Reducing by 1 pill every couple months and replaced with smoking pot. The pot works for me as I tried quitting twice over the last 20 years and had a seizure both times. Maybe edibles would work for you.
Hi Brittney,
I think this Dilantin issue is very underreported and is bigger than the dentists appear to want. Something fishy is going on. I too was on Dilantin and I have serious dental problems. I brushed and flossed everyday and everyone blames sugar. I say bull, and that there are problems with Dilantin. Stay strong and know that there are people out here who know your pain.
As a result of taking dilantin, I have cerebellum atrophy (no balance) and weak muscles. I started out with elipespy and used dilantin for many years to control my seizures. Not knowing that one of it’s many side effects was to kill the brain cells that controlled your balance. Well my cerebellum atrophy slowly exceeded any bad effects of my seizures, and it now was my problem. My bad balance has kept me from having a knee replacement (because it would never heal right; and also back surgery. So now I sit in a wheechair because my legs are too weak to walk.
i have been taking dilantin since 2006. since then my teeth have been breaking off. my 2 front teeth are broke plus 6 more are broke and i have had 2 get 7 pulled out. i went to the oral surgan and he said the dilantin did this to my teeth and the rest of my teeth have to be pulled. i have had alot of pain from it and i’m disabled and dont have the money to get this done. i was not aware of dilantin doing this so i think i should be able to get help so this pain will go away. some one please help me with this!!! i also cant eat good because my teeth keep breakng. i did weigh 117lbs now i only weigh 88lbs please i need help…
Hi,I had similar problems that my teeth that I had never had a cavity ,suddenly got loose and almost started falling out ,this was several years ago but now my teeth are in terrible shape and am having all kinds of problems and intense pain ,HELP!
I also have vision problems and other problems I noticed that started when I was taking Dillantin and have continued to get worse !
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I took Dilantin plus phenobarbital for several years. Until I was around 20. Then I gradually quit taking the meds. No more seizures until I was over 40. I was insured then and took different meds. Then was put out of work with no insurance, so I went back on the same old meds for a few years. In the past year I had to have 2 teeth capped one lower one cracked, now I have receding gums with 3 showing cavities. My teeth used to be perfect never had a cavity in my life. Can the drug Co. be responsible for this.
I have the same problems and many more. I only have a few teeth left. I have had to pull my own. I get massive gum infections. Because it is hard to eat, I last weighed 89 lbs. Yes, they should have to pay us. I have been real sick for a number of years. I was recently hospitalized because the Dilantin is attacking my body. I told my doctor that I was dieing and he didn’t believe me. We all need help.
So sorry to hear this Stacey. I too suffer from the dental effects of Dilantin. No one out here appears to want to recognize the problem and maybe there needs to be a class action lawsuit.
I was prescribed dilantin , and my life has been destroyed. These rburns and blisters will never leave I am scarred for life. I know dilantin caused these problems.