Tamara Burns  |  February 8, 2016

Category: Legal News

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Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Phenytoin (Dilantin) is a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug used to treat abnormal brain activity, known as seizures.  Dilantin works by slowing the rate of firing in the brain and can help to stabilize brain activity.

Due to its widespread calming effect on the brain, phenytoin has also been used for a number of other applications in treating anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, aggression, impulsivity, ADHD and more.

Most drugs come with a list of common side effects, and phenytoin is no exception. Many common side effects of phenytoin may resolve shortly after beginning the medication, while some may be more long-lasting or even permanent.

Others may even be life-threatening, like Stevens Johnson Syndrome, so it is important to be on the lookout for such side effects.

Common side effects include mild rash, tremors, anxiety, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, slurred speech, swollen gums and insomnia.

More severe, long lasting side effects are linked with phenytoin’s affect on the cerebellum.  Phenytoin is known to cause cerebellar atrophy and degeneration, leading to problems with balance, movement, coordination, and also improved cognition and memory.

Phenytoin Rash and Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Although a mild rash may be a common side effect of phenytoin use, it can also be the start of a very severe and life-threatening reaction to the drug known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is an allergic reaction usually precipitated by the ingestion of a drug.  Phenytoin has been established as a drug commonly linked as a trigger to Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

SJS often starts out with a set of flu-like symptoms.  Reviewing the common side effects above, many of those are also seen with the flu, and often times, patients either think they may be coming down with a cold or flu, or they write it off as side effects to be expected.

After the flu-like symptoms, the characteristic Stevens Johnson rash is usually next to appear, with reddish or purple blisters appearing in the mucous membranes of the body, as well as on the skin.

The phenytoin-induced SJS rash causes the cells in the top layers of skin to die and slough off in sheets, exposing the lower layers of the skin.  Patients often look like they have burns on their body.  Facial or tongue swelling may also be present.

Stevens Johnson Rash Treatment

A phenytoin rash that progresses into Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a medical emergency and hospitalization is required.  Often, patients are treated in the hospital’s burn unit or ICU due to the nature of the skin involvement and the drug that caused the reaction is immediately discontinued.

There is no cure for SJS. Treatment of the symptoms can be managed through treatment and prevention of infection, pain relief, hydration and nutrition via IV and other palliative measures to help the patient.

SJS may spread to cover over 30 percent of the body, and in advanced cases such as these, the condition is called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or TEN.  The mortality rate of the more serious TEN is 30 percent to 40 percent, and it is about five percent to 10 percent for SJS.

Both SJS and TEN may cause permanent damage of the internal organs and may lead to vision loss.  While many Stevens Johnson Syndrome rash reactions happen within the first few weeks of use of the offending drug, it can happen anytime while the drug is being used, even after an extended period of no adverse events.

Filing a Dilantin SJS Lawsuit

Patients who have experienced a Stevens Johnson rash and resultant complications from taking medication may decide to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer for failure to warn about the condition that may result from the drug’s use.  Plaintiffs who file a lawsuit may be eligible to recover economic damages from their losses suffered as a result of using phenytoin.

A phenytoin attorney can review your case at no charge, and can help you review your legal options, assisting you in determining if filing a lawsuit is in your best interest.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The SJS attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Dilantin class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Dilantin lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Help for Victims of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Filing an SJS lawsuit or class action lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Obtain a free and confidential review of your case by filling out the form below.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.