The antibiotic Rifampin has allegedly been linked to several cases of patients developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a dangerous skin condition, while taking their Rifampin antibiotic course. As a result of the pain and suffering experienced by various Rifampin consumers, many are joining SJS class action lawsuits.

Rifampicin, more commonly referred to by its American drug name Rifampin, is an antibiotic used in combination with other antibiotics to treat tuberculosis (TB) and meningitis.

It was originally developed in Italy in 1957 and was soon introduced to the international medical drug market in 1967. Since then, it has commonly been used in drug-cocktail treatments that must be taken on a daily basis for months at a time when treating TB, otherwise a patient’s chances of developing drug-resistant TB will be greatly increased.

While Rifampin is effective in combating such serious bacterial infections, it should be prescribed and used with caution because of the various reports of patients developing an allergic reaction to the drug and developing SJS.

This possible Rifampin side effect was first studied in 1977, when a case of a 40-year-old African man who was given Rifampin to treat his pulmonary tuberculosis condition developed a severe, painful case of SJS. Soon after this incident, several other cases of patients developing SJS after taking Rifampin reportedly began to surface internationally.

According the 1977 medical report published in the British Medical Journal regarding the 40 year old African patient, the attending doctor commented, “The recurrence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in our patient after the reintroduction of rifampicin strongly suggests a causal relation.”

A more recent study published on eHealthMe.com has collected data from FDA reports and other sources estimates that of all Rifampin users, 2,087 have reported Rifampin side effects. Out of those, 31 individuals were reported to have developed SJS during their Rifampin treatment.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening skin condition that usually develops as a result of a patient having an allergic reaction to certain types of prescription and over the counter medications. A related disease is Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which is a more severe form of SJS. Both SJS and TEN are both possible Rifampin side effects.

SJS victims experience extreme pain and skin sensitivity. After a high fever and flu-like symptoms, SJS will progress to the stage in which a patient’s top most layer of skin separates from the deeper, more sensitive layers of skin, which may also lead to the mucous membrane in affected areas to blister and scar.

SJS victims typically must be hospitalized for weeks to months at a time so they can receive treatment and receive constant medical monitoring. In some extreme Stevens Johnson Syndrome cases, patients may die from the sustained trauma.

Some common SJS symptoms to watch for include:

• Painful blistering of the skin and mucous membrane
• Flu-like symptoms and high fever
• Sloughing off of skin
• Severe eye conditions like: severe conjunctivis, iritis, palpebral edema, conjunctival and corneal blisters and perforation.