Diflucan (Fluconazole), an anti-fungal and yeast infection medication, is the latest drug to be blamed for causing  Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Numerous medications are alleged to cause SJS, a devastating skin reaction.

Diflucan was approved by the FDA in 1990, to treat a variety of fungal infections and is commonly used to treat yeast infections. This drug works by interfering with the cell membranes of the fungus, preventing the fungus from growing and kills off the remaining cells.

Over the years, this drug has become a widely requested medication to help treat different fungal infections, earning its spot on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, which is a list of vital medications needed in a basic healthcare system.

However, several patients have reported developing severe rashes and other SJS symptoms, after using the drug. No warning currently appears on the drug’s label because no definite link has been proven.

In a recent study conducted on the health website, ehealthme,of 17,155 patients observed, gathered from the FDA and social media, 348 Diflucan users reported developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Experts are unsure what causes Stevens Johnson Syndrome, although it appears more likely to occur in patients taking more than one medication and among those who are of Asian-Pacific descent.

Doctors often do not recognize SJS symptoms upon initial examination. The symptoms can include the red or purple skin lesions that followed flu-like symptoms.

After the initial symptoms subside the skin lesions appear and the condition of the patient quickly deteriorates. This is a potentially fatal condition and should be treated as soon as possible. Due to the nature of the injuries, SJS patients are often treated in the burn unit of hospitals, as skin grafts are often needed to replenish lost flesh.