If you’ve ever been prescribed an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection, you may have been prescribed a quinolone.

Quinolones are a popular group of antibiotics often prescribed by doctors to treat various bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, ear infections, and sinus infections. Some of the most popular quinolones on the market are Levaquin (levofloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), and Cipro (ciprofloxacin). Quinolones are sold in both generic and brand name forms.

Although quinolones have gained popularity over the years they are associated with several very serious side effects, including the potentially fatal skin reaction Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Between 1997 and 2010 over 2,500 deaths were linked to quinolones. During that same time period over 45,000 adverse side effects were also reported to the FDA. Two serious side effects linked to quinolones are Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Overview of SJS and TEN

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare but serious skin disorder. The disorder usually begins with flu-like symptoms. Patients may experience fever, fatigue, cough, sore mouth and throat, and burning eyes.

Eventually dermatological symptoms begin to develop. These symptoms can present themselves as facial swelling, tongue swelling, hives, a quickly spreading red or purple rash, and blisters on the skin and mucus membranes.

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if any of the dermatological symptoms begin to appear. TEN is described by many medical professionals as a more severe form of SJS, affecting a larger part of the body. Along with other Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms, patients with TEN may suffer from large patches of skin sloughing off their bodies.

SJS and TEN are usually triggered by an infection or an allergic reaction to various medications. There is an ever-growing list of medications that can cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome or TEN. These medications include anti-gout medications, pain relievers containing acetaminophen and many antibacterial medications such as quinolones.

Treatment of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and TEN requires hospitalization. Patients are generally treated in a hospital’s burn unit and all non-essential medications are usually stopped in order to eliminate the cause of the disease. Patients are also constantly monitored for dehydration. Hospitalization can range from a few weeks to several months.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits

As more drugs like quinolones are being associated with cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, victims of the condition are filing lawsuits against the different drug manufacturers. These lawsuits usually claim that drug manufacturers and marketers failed to warn the medical community and the general public of risks associated with taking the drugs.

The plaintiffs are bringing claims of negligence, fraud and deceit, breach of warranty, and strict product liability. In some cases, spouses of victims are joining the lawsuits as co-plaintiffs, bringing loss of consortium claims. A loss of consortium claim is brought when a spouse has suffered from the loss of an intimate relationship with the victim.

These lawsuits are filed in the hope of acquiring compensation for the victims of these drugs. Many patients are burdened by oppressive medical bills from their hospitalization. Monetary awards to these victims are an attempt to compensate for the pain and suffering victims endured due to their adverse reactions to medications like quinolones.