The widely used anticonvulsant Dilantin (phenytoin) has been linked with some serious Dilantin side effects, including cerebellar atrophy symptoms that can drastically change a person’s life.

These potential Dilantin side effects can mean that physical tasks become difficult, unsteady, or even impossible.

Think of cerebral atrophy symptoms as similar to those of a stroke. Cerebellar atrophy treatment can be extremely simple, but for some it can be impossible.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin, a popular drug for epilepsy treatment, helps to stop seizures during their early stages. Phenytoin is the generic form of Dilantin, and is one of the more commonly used antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs.

When a person suffers from a seizure, the neurons in their brain cells fire off much more rapidly than usual. Dilantin and other anti-seizure medications like it prevent the patient’s brain cells from firing off these neurons at such a rapid pace, which in turn helps control seizures.

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Cerebellar atrophy is a condition in which the cerebellum’s brain tissue degenerates and loses neurons. The cerebellum, which is the portion of the brain located under the cerebrum and behind the brain stem, is responsible for movements such as coordination, speech, posture, and balance.

When the cerebellum is damaged, cerebral atrophy symptoms can include unstable eye movement, lack of control over body movements, tremors, and imbalance issues.

A study published in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy concluded that the amount of time a patient is exposed to phenytoin affects how likely it is that they develop long-term Dilantin side effects such as cerebral atrophy symptoms.

A patient is also more likely to develop cerebellar atrophy symptoms if exposed to higher levels of Dilantin, above the normal range, over a long period of time.

However, the condition has previously been reported when taken in the normal usage range as well.

If you have only used Dilantin for a short time, it is unlikely that you will develop Dilantin side effects such as cerebellar atrophy symptoms as a result. Generally, these symptoms only appear for Dilantin users who have taken the drug over an extended period of time. Long-term phenytoin use has been associated strongly with cerebellar atrophy.

Sometimes, all cerebellar atrophy treatment involves is stopping a patient’s exposure to the drug. Patients with cerebellar atrophy should only withdraw from phenytoin while being monitored by a doctor.

However, in some cases, cerebellar atrophy treatment is actually impossible. For some unfortunate patients, cerebellar atrophy symptoms can become a permanent aspect of their lives.

Dilantin Side Effects Lawsuits

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy, focal cerebral atrophy, or are experiencing cerebellar atrophy symptoms after taking Dilantin, there may be a link and you may be able to join a phenytoin lawsuit investigation.

While a lawsuit cannot adequately make up for pain and suffering from cerebellar atrophy and cerebellar atrophy symptoms, it can help compensate for injuries.