Dilantin has been called the grandfather of all epilepsy medications. It was originally developed over a hundred years ago as a remedy for convulsions associated with electroshock treatment.
By 1940, Dilantin had found application as a treatment for epileptic seizures, spurring further research and development of other anti seizure medications.
Dilantin works by decreasing the speed at which neurons in the brain fire. During an epileptic seizure, neurons are driven to fire much faster than they do normally.
By reducing the speed at which these neurons are able to fire, Dilantin can stop a seizure just as it’s beginning. And while Dillantin is effective this way during seizures, it usually has little or no effect on normal brain function.
Today, while Dilantin is no longer considered a first-line treatment for some types of seizures, it’s still widely used to treat generalized and partial tonic-clonic seizures and complex partial seizures. It’s also available under the generic name phenytoin.
Unfortunately, despite the drug’s long history and widespread use, it has not been completely safe for all users. Studies have shown that long term use of Dilantin has been associated with rare cases of cerebellar atrophy.
One study published in the journal Seizure in July 2003 reviewed magnetic resonance imaging from 56 patients with epilepsy who had been exposed to phenytoin for more than two months.
The imaging revealed cerebellar atrophy in over 35 percent of the patients. The researchers noted that while epilepsy itself could have some influence over the cerebellar atrophy, the duration of phenytoin treatment was a much more significant factor.
What Is Cerebellar Atrophy?
Cerebellar atrophy is a kind of focal cerebral atrophy that results from the death of tissue in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that mainly controls movement. This degeneration of the cerebellum will result in a characteristic abnormality of physical movement known as ataxia.
Patients with cerebellar ataxia typically will have trouble walking, keeping their balance, and maintaining a healthy upright posture. Fine motor skills may also be affected, so that the patient may have trouble writing, typing, putting on clothes, or preparing food. They can also suffer from difficulty speaking or swallowing. Some report visual disturbances like blurriness or double vision.
Cerebellar atrophy may also lead to psychological symptoms. Patients may have trouble recalling newly learned information. Some have difficulty with “executive functions” like making plans or keeping their thoughts organized. They may also experience mood disturbances, with unexplained episodes of anxiety, irritability or depression.
These symptoms can have detrimental and costly effects on the patient’s life. Impairment of mobility or cognitive skills can seriously degrade a person’s ability to work and earn income. They may even be restricted in their ability to handle activities of daily living such as maintaining personal hygiene. Treatment can require weeks or months of long term physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Dozens of affected patients have already filed Dilantins lawsuits seeking compensation for their alleged Dilantin side effects. One such claim was settled for close to $4 million in 2010, benefitting the family of a young girl who died after taking Dilantin for less than a month.
In general, phenytoin lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual Dilantin lawsuit or Dilantin class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
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