Personal injury attorneys are currently looking for potential Stevens Johnson Syndrome Onfi lawsuits. This interest follows warnings released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about possible Onfi side effects associated with taking the anti seizure medication often prescribed to treat Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

What is Lennox Gastaut Syndrome?

Lennox Gastaut Syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy that often manifests during childhood. Seizures usually begin to develop in children between the ages 2-6, often causing developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral problems. Children with Lennox Gastaut Syndrome usually suffer from multiple types of seizures, including atonic seizures (where muscles jerk and the person often falls to the ground), tonic seizures (where the body stiffens), and absence seizures (where victims have a blank stare or nod their head quickly). Medical professionals are not always certain what causes Lennox Gastaut Syndrome in children; however, in some cases it can be caused by a lack of oxygen during birth, severe brain injuries, brain infections, and tuberous sclerosis.

Onfi is one of several drugs used by doctors to treat Lennox Gastaut Syndrome. Medical professionals believe Onfi works by enhancing a natural brain chemical called GABA, which slows the activity of nerve cells in the brain. Because of the way Onfi works it often leads to sleepiness, tiredness, and relief of anxiety. Recently Onfi has been linked to severe side effects such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, severe allergic skin reactions that can lead to scarring, lifelong medical problems, or even death.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a serious skin disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. Doctors believe it is usually the result of an allergic reaction to medication or an infection. Stevens Johnson Syndrome initially presents itself as flu-like symptoms, but eventually develops into dermatological symptoms. These SJS symptoms include a quickly spreading red or purple rash, facial swelling, tongue swelling, hives, blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, and shedding of the skin. In extremely severe cases, Stevens Johnson Syndrome can develop into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, which is characterized with the same symptoms as Stevens Johnson Syndrome but covers a much larger area of the body. In some cases, patients diagnosed with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis may experience the sloughing off of large patches of skin.

Treatment for Stevens Johnson Syndrome can require weeks to months of hospitalization. Patients are usually treated in a hospital’s burn unit and treatment is focused on keeping the patient hydrated and relieving symptoms. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely serious condition and patients experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. Those who suspect they have developed Onfi SJS should seek medical attention, but should not suddenly stop taking their anti seizure drugs.

Overview of Onfi Lawsuits

Personal injury attorneys are looking for victims who have suffered adverse side effects from taking Onfi, including Onfi SJS. Settlements and awards from potential Onfi lawsuits will help pay for patients past and future medical bills as well as compensate for the pain and suffering they had to endure. SJS Onfi lawsuits generally claim that the drug manufacturers violated consumer protection laws by failing to warn the medical community and the general public about the SJS side effects associated with taking the anti-seizure medication. Claims against the manufacturers will likely include negligence, fraud and deceit, products liability, and misrepresentation.