According to a research study published on Medscape.com, an elderly patient allegedly developed the life-threatening skin condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after taking a dose of the quinolone antibiotic medication, levofloxacin. While there have been several documented cases of patients experiencing an SJS skin reaction to several different types of quinolone drugs, this is the first known and documented case involving levofloxacin.

The Medscape article reports that a 78-year-old woman was being treated for a chronic pulmonary disease, among other medical problems, at a local hospital. During the course of her treatment, she was prescribed and administered levofloxacin to combat pneumonia. She was to finish her round of quinolone antibiotics at home once she was discharged. Within 48 hours of finishing her course of antibiotics, the patient reportedly developed a blistering rash, which developed into SJS within a week.

The SJS patient was then transferred to a burn treatment center where she remained for 22 days for continuous monitoring of her condition, as well as regular treatment with fluid, wound dressing, and other antibiotics.

This is not the first report of a patient taking quinolone drugs developing SJS or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). However, this is first documented case involving the levofloxin quinolone drug. Other quinolone drugs known to allegedly cause patients to develop SJS and/or TEN skin conditions include:

• Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan Ophthalmic, Cipro)
• Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
• Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• Norfloxacin (Chibroxin Ophthalmic, Noroxin Oral)
• Sparfloxacin (Zagam)
• Trovafloxacin (Trovan)

Many individuals who have allegedly suffered from SJS after a course of quinolone antibiotics have filed quinolone SJS lawsuits or joined quinolone SJS class action lawsuits.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

The painful and often fatal skin conditions known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) present as an allergic skin reaction to certain type of prescription and over-the-counter medication, including quinolone antiobiotics.

When a patient contracts SJS or TEN, the individual’s top layer of skin cells dies and leaves the more sensitive skin layers, including the mucous membrane, exposed. At that point in the syndrome’s progression, the mucous membrane is prone to blister and become infected.

Because of the intense level of pain and sensitivity experienced by SJS victims, they must be hospitalized for weeks to months at a time for constant treatment and monitoring. In some extreme cases, a patient may die from SJS and/or TEN.

Some symptoms of SJS may include:

• Painful blistering of the skin and mucous membrane involvement.
• In many cases preceded with flu like symptoms and high fever.
• As it evolves the skin literally sloughs off.
• Ocular involvement includes severe conjunctivis, iritis, palpebral edema, conjunctival and corneal blisters and erosions, and corneal perforation.

What is Quinolone?

Fluroquinolones (more commonly known as quinolones) are some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the nation. Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox are the best known and most popular of the available quinolone antibiotics, but this family of drugs has been sold under various generic names.

However, consumers should be aware of some serious, and often life-threatening side-effects, of using quinolone drugs. In addition to Stevens Johnson Syndrome, these side effects can include:

• Liver toxicity
• Liver failure
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis

As a result, quinolone users have filed quinolone liver damage lawsuits and/or quinolone SJS class action lawsuits.