Does Dilantin Cause Brain Damage?

Although Dilantin is an effective treatment for epileptic seizures, research has indicated some patients may be at a greater risk of brain damage.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder of the central nervous system that can cause a variety of different types of seizures. Treatment with Dilantin helps manage this, but the drug has been tied to cerebellar atrophy.

What is Dilantin?

Dilantin is an anti-epileptic drug made by pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The generic version is known as phenytoin.

How Long Does a Seizure Last?

According to MedlinePlus, the majority of seizures last between 30 seconds and one minute. A seizure that lasts more than five minutes or one that causes a person to become unconscious and unable to wake up is considered a medical emergency. Without treatment, seizures can cause a patient to suffer neurological consequences.

What is a Seizure?

A seizure is defined as a sudden increase of electrical activity in the brain that causes the brain to temporarily malfunction.

What Are Symptoms of a Seizure?

A person suffering from an epileptic seizure may experience an onset of confusion, sudden staring, uncontrolled jerking of the arms or legs, a loss of consciousness or awareness, or an onset of psychological symptoms such as fear or a feeling of déjà vu.

How Does Dilantin Control Seizure Activity?

Dilantin helps regulate the electrical activity of the brain. During a seizure, brain cells fire electrical currents at a rapid rate. Dilantin stops the brain cells from firing at a fast enough rate to induce a seizure.

What Types of Seizures is Dilantin Used for?

Dilantin has been found effective in treating the following types of seizures:

• Tonic-Clonic Seizures (also known as grand mal seizures)
• Refractory Seizures
• Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
• Focal Aware Seizures
• Secondary Generalized Seizures
• Complex Partial Seizures

What is Cerebellar Atrophy?

Also known as cerebellar degeneration, cerebellar atrophy is a neurological disease that causes brain tissue to shrink. The cerebellum is the region of the brain that controls voluntary muscle movement, coordination and sensory input (sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste).

Normally, cerebellar degeneration is a rare condition resulting from hemorrhagic stroke, spongiform encephalopathies (known as mad cow disease) or other brain inflammation, or multiple sclerosis (damage to the protective coating of the nerves). The condition may also be genetic.

What are the Effects of Cerebellar Atrophy?

Researchers have found that some patients develop cerebellar atrophy after using Dilantin for many years. This shrinkage of the cerebellum may cause side effects, including loss of muscle coordination. When the cerebellum’s nerve cells are damaged, the patient may suffer a variety of coordination problems.

A person with cerebellar atrophy may have a wide-legged, lurching and unsteady gait along with lateral tremors of the torso. Additional symptoms may include slow, unsteady, involuntary jerking motions of the limbs (dyskinesia), slow or impaired speech, and repetitive, uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus).

What Types of Problems Are Common Among People Suffering from Cerebellar Atrophy?

Fine motor skills may be adversely affected when the cerebellum incurs damage. Symptoms include poor coordination; difficulty eating, writing or brushing teeth; fast, involuntary back-and-forth eye movements; problems swallowing; and slurred speech or a change in the pitch or pattern of speech.

Can Cerebellar Atrophy be Cured?

Most cases of cerebellar degeneration are incurable, particularly if the cause is genetic. Treatments are available, and include medications for addressing abnormal gait and dyskinesia as well as physical therapy for strengthening muscles.

In most cases of cerebellar atrophy, there is no cure, and treatment should focus instead on treating the symptoms or preventing the condition from getting any worse, though it depends greatly on the underlying cause of the disease.

There is good news for patients whose condition is due to taking Dilantin, provided the atrophy is localized and has not spread. Withdrawal from the medication may reverse cerebellar atrophy. Some patients who have taken the medication for years may have permanent injuries, however.

Indeed, a study published in the Seizure European Journal of Epilepsy found that patients who took Dilantin for longer periods of time, or even at higher dosages, face a greater risk of developing cerebellar atrophy. According to the study, cerebellar atrophy “is frequently associated with the long-term use of phenytoin.”

This risk may be compounded even further in patients for whom a number of risk factors apply, such as someone with a brain condition using Dilantin.

Is Dilantin Ever Prescribed to Treat Conditions Other Than Epilepsy?

Yes. Dilantin and other seizure medications such as Tegretol or Carbatrol may be prescribed to patients who suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, a type of severe facial pain. In some cases, Dilantin is prescribed to help control the mania phase of bipolar disorder.

Besides Brain Damage, What Are Other Potential Side Effects of Dilantin?

Other possible side effects, some of which can be serious, include:

• Acne
• Gum overgrowth, making teeth appear smaller
• Excessive hair growth on the face or body
• Facial features that become more coarse over time
• Weakening bones
• Nerve damage to the legs
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening immune system reaction

Are There Alternatives to Dilantin?

Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol, et. al.) is currently considered the first-line treatment by medical professionals. Research has not found any significant differences between carbamazepine and phenytoin in terms of efficacy. Unfortunately, carbamazepine is also associated with risky side effects.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD), a derivative of the marijuana plant, is effective in controlling seizures. But to date, the FDA has approved only one CBD medication for the treatment of two specific forms of childhood epilepsy.

A growing number of plaintiffs are coming forward with allegations of side effects, including cerebellar atrophy, after taking Dilantin. If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar atrophy or other complications caused by Dilantin, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these cerebellar atrophy, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

In general, phenytoin lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, but Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.