Dilantin is widely used to treat the symptoms of epilepsy and seizures. Unfortunately, the anti-epileptic medication has been associated with certain serious side effects, including cerebellar atrophy.

If you or a loved one have suffered from these or other adverse effects of Dilantin, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Background of Dilantin

Dilantin is an anticonvulsant medication manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. It is also sold under the generic name phenytoin.

Dilantin works to treat the symptoms of epileptic seizures, slowing down the rapid firing of the brain’s neurons. This rapid neuron firing is what causes the uncontrollable movements associated with a seizure. Although Dilantin and other anticonvulsants do not treat the condition itself, they work to prevent epileptic seizures or at least reduce their severity.

Dilantin has been around for decades, first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1953 for the treatment of seizures. Now, Dilantin is one of the most popular options to control epileptic seizures available on the market. Despite its widespread popularity, Dilantin has unfortunately been linked with adverse side effects, including cerebellar atrophy.

Adverse effects of Dilantin

According to Drugs.com, the use of Dilantin (also known generically as phenytoin) has been linked with a severe condition known as cerebellar atrophy. Unfortunately, in some cases, severe cerebellar atrophy may have permanent consequences. The most significant of these is cerebellar ataxia, or a lack of muscle coordination.

Cerebellar atrophy is a serious degenerative brain condition that can have long-lasting or even permanent effects. As brain tissue degenerates, neurons and the connections between them are lost, which affects a number of voluntary movements like posture, coordination, balance, and speech. Cerebellar atrophy can have serious consequences for the precision of these movements, ultimately leading to an unsteady or lurching walk, slow and slurred speech, rapid eye movement, and even memory loss.

Cerebellar degeneration symptoms in those taking Dilantin can be similar to stroke symptoms. Someone experiencing cerebellar degeneration may even appear drunk.

The risk of cerebellar atrophy from Dilantin increases when Dilantin is taken over longer periods of time or at higher dosages. However, patients are still at risk of adverse effects of Dilantin even when taking the medication at normal levels.

Children who take Dilantin for epilepsy treatment can also suffer from cerebellar degeneration side effects.

To treat cerebellar atrophy, some may simply need to withdraw from Dilantin. Withdrawal from any medication should be monitored by a doctor.

Use of Dilantin may also cause a rare drug reaction known as Steven-Johnson syndrome.

Why does Dilantin affect the cerebellum?

As noted previously, Dilantin works by reducing the overactive firing of neurons in the brain. Because the cerebellum contains about 80 percent of the brain’s neurons, the cerebellum is vulnerable to Dilantin’s effects.

In order to diagnose cerebellar disorders, most doctors will order an MRI of the highest available strength. The MRI should indicate shrinkage of this portion of the brain if the atrophy is significant.

Scientists conducted a study in 1994 to determine whether patients were suffering from adverse effects of Dilantin or whether seizures alone caused such changes in the cerebellum. MRIs completed on patients who had been on Dilantin for several years indicated these patients had a much smaller cerebellum when compared to a control group of seizure-prone patients who had never taken Dilantin. The higher the dose and the longer the amount of time a patient took Dilantin, the worse the damage to the brain. Dilantin is a very potent drug, and if not careful, patients may be provided a dose that causes their drug serum levels to reach beyond a range considered therapeutic. Those who had taken such high doses were also at a greater risk of cerebellar deterioration.

Other causes of damage to the cerebellum include head trauma such as may be incurred in a motor vehicle accident, stroke, cerebral palsy, advanced autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, serious viral infections, and benign or cancerous brain tumors.

Filing a Dilantin lawsuit

More patients are coming forward with claims that they were not adequately warned about the adverse side effects of Dilantin, including cerebellar atrophy.

If you or someone you love has suffered from cerebellar atrophy or degeneration after using Dilantin, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.