Meredith Friesen  |  October 29, 2014

Category: Consumer News

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Dilantin SJS allergic reactionThe epilepsy drug Dilantin has been linked to hundreds of deaths caused by Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a severe skin reaction that leaves users with burn-like rashes and other life-threatening complications. This potential Dilantin side effect has led to numerous lawsuits against drug makers for failing to provide adequate warnings about this risk.

One of these Dilantin lawsuits was filed in 2011 by Georgia resident Charles Henderson, who claims the manufacturers of generic Dilantin (phenytoin) failed to warn about the risk of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) from the drug.

According to the Dilantin lawsuit, the FDA has received more than 1,000 adverse event reports about Dilantin SJS, including 139 deaths from Stevens Johnson Syndrome where Dilantin was the primary responsible drug and 188 SJS deaths where Dilantin was the secondary drug reported.

Henderson claims he developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), a more serious and deadly form of SJS, after taking generic Dilantin (phenytoin). His Dilantin lawsuit claims the epilepsy drug should carry a black box warning about this risk given the high rate of SJS cases linked to phenytoin.

The Dilantin SJS lawsuit names generic drug manufacturers Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd., Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, and several other companies as defendants. Most Dilantin lawsuits list Pfizer Inc. as the defendant since they manufacture the non-generic form of Dilantin.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Symptoms and Causes

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a severe disorder that can affect the skin or mucous membranes. It begins with a purplish or red rash and develops into blistering. The blistering becomes so severe that the affected skin will die and begin to shed. SJS requires immediate medical attention. It can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months to recover.

While Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a major concern on its own, secondary infections and complications may also be very dangerous. Sepsis (blood infection) is one of the possible complications of SJS. Additionally, when the blisters cover more than 10% of the skin, it is diagnosed as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

TEN is significantly more dangerous than SJS. While 5%-15% of SJS cases are fatal, 30% to 40% of TEN patients die. TEN begins with an fever which is followed by a large rash. The top layer of skin will then fill with fluid and begin to sag, causing the skin to peel in large quantities. This leaves the body more open to complications like sepsis, which is the leading cause of death in TEN patients.

Both SJS and TEN are usually severe allergic reactions to medications, like Dilantin. Many drugs have been listed in Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits, such as Henderson’s, and accuse the respective drug manufacturers of failing to warn their users of the possible SJS risks. Many have already won thousands in settlements.

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 on this page now.

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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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