Dilantin is a popular anti-seizure medication that has been linked with a potentially fatal skin reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Once SJS covers more than 30 percent of the body, it becomes Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), also known as skin death. This deadly skin allergic reaction causes a person’s skin to burn off in layers. If someone survives, they may be blind or have extensive internal organ damage.

There’s no cure for SJS or TEN. SJS sufferers are treated in burn units, and the “lucky” ones get a correct diagnosis early—but that’s rare. Few doctors have seen SJS or TEN in person, and the rash at first blush looks innocent. It may present similar to poison oak, and in the case of children especially, it is often dismissed as harmless. Although Pfizer’s profitable drug Dilantin has been available since the 1930s, the first warnings about the Dilantin SJS risk didn’t come from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until Nov. 24, 2008.

Dilantin Lawsuits Filed by SJS Victims

Dilantin lawsuits continue to grow in number, but few are as heartbreaking as the case of Jesse Nicholson Jacobson. At 9 years old, she died after taking Dilantin for less than one month. Pfizer settled the Jacobson Dilantin lawsuit for just under $4 million, but of course no amount of compensation can come close to making up for the loss of a child. Like other Dilantin sufferers, Jacobson’s doctors probably thought she had a standard rash, and her pediatrician and parents were unaware of the Dilantin dangers because—according to critics—the warning labels are not sufficient. Doctors, patients and the community in general make decisions based on the safety information provided by drug makers.

A number of medications have been connected to TEN, but Dilantin is one of the most well-known. According to some medical professionals, exams of patients who were being treated for TEN looked as if they were “cooked from the inside out.” It’s a painful ordeal, and some survivors report wishing for death because the pain was so unbearable. Plaintiffs who have filed Dilantin lawsuits say that inadequate warnings caused pain, suffering and death—had these patients known the risks, they could have taken another drug or known the warning signs to watch for.

There’s evidence that Pfizer knew about the risks but failed to act. The company provided warnings of SJS and TEN for medications in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic years ago, but not in the United States. While anyone can become a victim, Asians and African Americans are particularly vulnerable. Some critics say that the larger populations of these communities in the United States compared to the Netherlands and Czech Republic may have something to do with Pfizer’s decision.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Red Flags

Knowing the symptoms of SJS before it turns into TEN is crucial for the best chances of survival. Anyone taking Dilantin should seek medical attention immediately if a rash occurs, even if it appears harmless. Blisters in wet regions are a tell-tale sign of SJS, and these blisters can quickly spread. Misdiagnoses are common with SJS, so unfortunately many patients are left to their own devices when it comes to understanding the reaction. Since there’s no cure for SJS or TEN, the earlier a victim gets help the better their odds of surviving with fewer permanent injuries. Dilantin has been available for decades, and many people trust it implicitly. However, don’t discount the Dilantin side effects and keep a close watch for any signs of trouble.