Steven Johnson Syndrome is a serious, potentially life-threatening skin disease. The most common cause of Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is through an allergic drug reaction from an antibiotic such as Cipro (Ciprofloxacin).

Cipro is given to treat a bacterial infection. It is useful for treating infections such as chest infections, urine infections, prostatitis, infections of the digestive system, bone and joint infections and some sexually transmitted infections.

It works by killing the bacteria which are the cause of the infection.

Cipro is amongst the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the United States. Despite its popularity, the antibiotic may be linked to serious and life-threatening side effects.

Steven Johnson Syndrome Allergic Reaction Rash

With Steven Johnson Syndrome the sufferer can first experience non-specific symptoms, such as headaches, aching body, fever and a bad cough. Then an allergic reaction rash may develop over the face and trunk of the body, which then spreads to other parts of the body.

The rash is patchy and can spread to various areas of the body. Blistering can then appear, usually in places such as the eyes, mouth, nose and genital areas. The mucous membranes also become inflamed.

These blisters can cause the infected areas to detach and make the appearance of sloughing of the skin.

With Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), another variation of the disease, the skin also begins to come away in large amounts. This leaves the sufferer looking as though he or she has burns.

The places where the skin has come away can seep fluids quite copiously, and there is also a significant risk of infection.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is the latent cousin of SJS, but is characterized by covering up to 90 percent of the body in skin lesions, whereas SJS affects between 10 to 30 percent.

SJS and TEN are specifically caused by an extreme allergic skin reaction to medication, and symptoms normally appear within two weeks after starting a drug regimen.

There are approximately 300 new cases of SJS and TEN diagnosed in the United States per year, and typically appear more commonly in adults than children. If not treated promptly, the patient could suffer permanent organ damage, blindness, skin scarring and possibly death.

A significant number of patients who report suffering Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) often require hospitalization to prevent the conditions from worsening.

As of now, doctors are unsure as to what causes certain patients to suffer SJS or TEN, but theorize it has to do with the patient’s immune system or metabolic process and how these react to antibiotics such as Cipro.

Cipro SJS Lawsuits

Millions of patients place their trust in drug companies every day when they ingest medications designed to heal or abate their various symptoms. But on occasion, a severe skin reaction to medication occurs.

Steven Johnson Syndrome is a rare, but life-threatening reaction that has been noted in response to several antibiotics, including Cipro.

Though the FDA keeps watch for potential Steven Johnson Syndrome risks and attempts to inform consumers of these risks, there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when the condition occurs.

Many patients who have developed an allergic reaction to medication such as Steven Johnson Syndrome from Cipro have filed SJS lawsuits against the pharmaceutical manufacturer in an attempt to gain justice for themselves or their loved one’s injuries.