Karina Basso  |  September 12, 2014

Category: Legal News

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sjs-burn-rashHealth care providers and physicians make a habit of warning their patients of possible reactions or side effects associated with certain medications, even if these side effects are not always listed on the drug’s advertisements or labels.

Recently, doctors have had to warn patients of the alleged increasing prevalence of fluoroquinolone (or quinolone) patients developing the painful and potentially fatal skin condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

As a result of the alleged pain and suffering experienced by quinolone SJS victims, many individual’s and families may choose to file a quinolone SJS lawsuit or join and existing quinolone class action lawsuit.

Quinolone is a common antibiotic that is prescribed to treat urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and a whole host of other internal bodily infections. While quinolone antibiotics such as Cipro and Levaquin are generally considered to be safe medications, some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to quinolone, which can, on occasion, present as SJS.

In one reported quinolone SJS case from 2002, an elderly woman who was treated for pneumonia was prescribed a quinolone antibiotic known as levofloxacin to manage her respiratory infection. After allegedly taking the quinolone medication for two days at home, the patient developed skin rashes that quickly worsened into a case of SJS or TEN.

The patient was hospitalized in the burn unit of her local hospital and was constantly monitored and treated with fluid resuscitation and gauze dressing. She was also prescribed a different antibiotic not in the quinolone drug family, after which her condition improved, and after 22 days of hospitalization, the patient was released.

Not all quinolone SJS patients are quite so fortunate. In many cases, elderly patients who develop SJS may die from the damage and trauma sustained by the body. This is also true for young children who contract SJS after taking a quinolone antibiotic.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

The extremely painful and, in extreme cases, fatal skin conditions known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) develop as a result of an individual’s allergic reaction to certain types of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

One group of drugs that has had a number of SJS and TEN cases is the quinolone antibiotic family.

When a patient develops SJS or TEN after taking a medication, the individual’s topmost skin cells die leaving the deeper layers exposed and unprotected. The sensitive mucous membrane also becomes exposed and may be prone to infection and blistering.

Due to the sensitive dermis exposure to the elements and the subsequent pain experienced by SJS victims, they need to be hospitalized for weeks to months at a time for monitoring and treatment.

Some SJS symptoms may include:

  • Painful blistering of the skin and mucous membrane involvement
  • Flu like symptoms and high fever
  • Sloughing off of skin
  • Ocular involvement includes severe conjunctivis, iritis, palpebral edema, conjunctival and corneal blisters and erosions, and corneal perforation.

What are Quinolone Antibiotics?

Quinolones are a group of antibiotics commonly prescribed in America for a whole variety of infections. The best known and most common brand name quinolones are Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox, though they are also sold under various generic names.

While there are many benefits from taking quinolone antibiotics, there also serious and sometime life-threatening quinolone side effects. Aside from the risk of developing SJS, other quinolone side effects may include:

  • Liver toxicity
  • Liver failure
  • Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

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

In general, quinolone lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Join a Free Quinolone Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or someone you know took Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox or another quinolone antibiotic and were diagnosed with liver failure, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify by submitting your information below for a free and confidential case review.

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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