Dilantin Lawyer

Pfizer’s anti-epileptic medication Dilantin has been linked to cerebellar atrophy. This is a permanent injury that can cause severe impairment of motor skills, memory loss, and other serious side effects. These injuries have caused some consumers to pursue a Dilantin lawsuit or other legal action.

Unfortunately, Pfizer did not warn patients of the risk of cerebellar atrophy until 2016. Those who were prescribed the drug before that and were diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy may be able to seek compensation for their damages. Contact our defective drug attorneys in Arizona to discuss a potential Dilantin lawsuit. We offer a free consultation to review your claim and learn what your legal options may be.

Our firm’s founder Jeff Phillips is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 and often works with lawyers from around the country on defective drug cases. Our firm has the resources and experience to help you build a strong case against the parties that may be at fault for your injuries.

Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 602-222-2222

How Do I Know if I Have a Case?

If you took Dilantin and have been diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy, you may have a case. This is particularly true if you took Dilantin for a long period of time and doctors believe your cerebellar atrophy may be linked to use of the drug. The risk of this injury is greatest amount pregnant women, infants, and elderly people who take this drug.

However, cerebellar atrophy can also be caused by persistent seizures. That means it can be difficult to determine whether you may have a case. That is why meeting with a licensed attorney is so important. We can discuss your symptoms, diagnosis, history of Dilantin use, and other factors to determine if you may have a case.

Pfizer and other drug manufacturers work hard to avoid financial responsibility for the harm their drugs sometimes cause. That is why you need an experienced, resourceful law firm representing you.

Phillips Law Group is prepared to thoroughly investigate your situation and gather evidence to build a strong case. We are prepared to go to court to pursue compensation and hold negligent parties accountable.

Our attorneys have been securing compensation for injury victims for nearly three decades. In that time we have secured hundreds of millions in compensation, including $23 million in a defective drug case.

What Are the Symptoms of Cerebellar Atrophy?

Cerebellar atrophy occurs when the neurons in your brain’s cerebellum are damaged and begin to weaken. This condition is often associated with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cerebral palsy, and other cerebral illnesses.

There are several symptoms of cerebellar atrophy, but one of the most common is an unsteady, lurching walk with a tremor in the trunk.

Other symptoms may include:

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms after taking Dilantin, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. If you are diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy, call our attorneys to discuss your potential case.

The call is free and there are no upfront fees. 602-222-2222

How Much is a Dilantin Lawsuit Worth?

Cerebellar atrophy can result in significant, ongoing medical expenses and may affect your ability to work in the same capacity as before. For minors, cerebellar atrophy could affect their ability to earn a living as an adult.

At Phillips Law Group, we know severe injuries not only affect victims physically but emotionally and financially as well. We are prepared to pursue full compensation for your damages. We want you to be able to get the treatment you need and have financial stability, as your injuries were likely the result of another party’s negligence.

We are prepared to bring in expert witnesses to help assess the economic effects of your injuries and discuss how best to document your psychological/emotional damages.

If you have questions about the value of your potential case, we are here to help. We have been assisting injury victims for decades.

Research Linking Dilantin to Cerebellar Atrophy

There is a growing amount of scientific evidence of the link between Dilantin and cerebellar atrophy. In 1990, researchers found those treated with phenytoin (the name of the active ingredient in Dilantin) for over five years had the following symptoms:

• Unsteady gait
• Problems with speech
• Impaired muscle control

Another study from 1994 found those taking this drug have smaller cerebellums compared to people being treated with a placebo. These findings held up even after the authors of the study controlled for seizures.

Yet another study from 2003 revealed patients who were suffering from phenytoin toxicity had irreversible deterioration of the cerebellum.

Another study from 2017 found patients who use phenytoin for a long period of time have reduced cerebellar volume. The study showed 40 percent of patients had cerebellar ataxia if they had chronic exposure to phenytoin.

How Long Has Dilantin Been Approved by the FDA?

Dilantin was first approved by the FDA in 1953 to treat grand mal and temporal lobe seizures in patients with epilepsy and to prevent seizures after brain surgery. The drug is also sometimes prescribed by doctors to help treat patients with certain types of irregular heartbeats, neuropathic pain, and mood disorders.

Phenytoin, the active ingredient in the drug, helps prevent seizures by decreasing electrical activity in the brain, which is believed to be the reason why cerebellar atrophy is a potential side effect.

Has the FDA Issued a Recall?

Two lots of generic Dilantin were recalled in February 2020 due to problems that could result in overdosing or under-dosing of the drug.

The FDA announced a Taro Pharmaceuticals phenytoin recall on February 21, 2020, but it was due to indications that the generic version of Dilantin may not re-suspend when shaken as directed, and was not specifically cited as being because of cerebellar atrophy risks.

The FDA has issued several warnings to the public about the serious risks associated with the use of the drug, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Despite its continued use today, the FDA put the drug on its Potential Signals of Serious Risks list in 2008 and in 2016 acknowledged reports of cerebellar atrophy in long-term use patients.

Have There Been Any Successful Lawsuits?

A lawsuit filed in 2018 by 10 people claimed Pfizer and its subsidiaries knew the drug could cause severe brain damage and failed to warn consumers.

In February 2020, three men in California filed a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company claiming their use of the drug led to cerebellar atrophy, alleging Pfizer knew about the potential risks and failed to warn consumers.

Pfizer has previously settled several lawsuits brought by those who took Dilantin and developed rare skin diseases, including a $3.7 million settlement after the death of a nine-year-old girl who developed Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) after ingesting the drug.

Let Us Review Your Claim – Call Today

Pfizer may have been aware of the link between Dilantin and cerebellar atrophy as far back as 2009. Failing to provide adequate warning to patients and doctors could make them liable for damages suffered by those with cerebellar atrophy.

The experienced attorneys at Phillips Law Group are prepared to review your claim at no upfront cost to you. If you choose to hire us to represent you, there are no upfront fees. We are not paid for our services unless you receive compensation.

For decades, Phillips Law Group has fought for the rights of injury victims and we have a track record of successfully recovering millions on their behalf, with more than $1 billion recovered over more than 29 years.

Call us today at 602-222-2222 to schedule your free consultation.