What is the most prominent clinical feature of Dilantin toxicity?

Ataxia is recognized as the most prominent clinical feature of Dilantin (phenytoin) toxicity. This condition arises due to the drug's effects on the central nervous system, particularly affecting the cerebellum, which is responsible for motor control and coordination. When phenytoin levels exceed the therapeutic range, individuals may experience symptoms that disrupt their balance and coordination, leading to an unsteady gait and clumsiness, characteristic of ataxia.

While hallucinations, seizures, and memory loss can occur with Dilantin toxicity in some cases, they are not the defining symptoms associated with it. Specifically, hallucinations may indicate a severe reaction or different underlying issue, seizures can occur as a complication rather than a direct symptom of toxicity, and memory loss is typically more related to chronic use or other factors than an acute toxic reaction. Thus, ataxia stands out as the most prominent and recognizable clinical feature of Dilantin toxicity.