Dilantin (Phenytoin), a popular anticonvulsant medication that is primarily prescribed to manage seizures, has been linked to a severe skin reaction called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Despite this side effect, Dilantin is on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) List of Essential Medicines, as one of the world’s most important medications. This recognition has earned the drug a commendable reputation among patients and the medical community alike.

Dilantin was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1936, and has been used to treat epilepsy and control seizures. The drug is most commonly prescribed to treat:

• Tonic-Clonic/Grand Mal Seizures
• Partial Seizures
• Absence seizures
• Seizures that can occur during neurosurgery
• Emergency intervention to prevent seizures after head injuries

Dilantin essentially works by slowing down the impulses in the brain to allow easier response and adjustment. Pfizer Inc. is responsible for manufacturing and distributing this drug, and has proudly boasted the drug’s history of efficiency and success.

However, like many drug companies, Pfizer has allegedly failed to adequately mention the deadly Dilantin side effects that can occur from taking the medication. One of these symptoms is Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a severe allergic skin reaction.

While an earlier review found a small number of cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and related Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis caused by Dilantin, recent studies and injury reports indicate a potentially bigger problem. That has led to numerous Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits filed by victims and their families. One study analyzed Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis cases from 15 different states, and found that more than 20 percent were linked to Dilantin. The study found that 25 percent of the patients died due to the severe reaction.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is most commonly identified by the distinctive red or purple lesions that appear on the patient’s skin. Other areas the lesions appear are include the mucous membranes, including the eyes, gums, tongue, nose, and rectum. This condition can be fatal if left untreated and can cause permanent damage.

Lesions from Stevens Johnson Syndrome cause the skin to detach and fall off, creating an injury akin to a burn. For this reason, Stevens Johnson Syndrome patients are treated in the burn unit of hospitals when diagnosed. This condition typically starts with flu symptoms, such as coughing, fever, or sneezing, before the lesions appear. Symptoms typically begin within the first two weeks of taking a medication, and it is typically seen in adults more than children.