Ashley Milano  |  May 30, 2016

Category: Legal News

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Stevens-Johnson SyndromeDid you develop a strange rash after taking the anti-seizure medication Dilantin?  As with many medications, a mild rash or other allergic reaction may be a common side effect.

But those who have developed a Dilantin rash may want to seek medical attention as a seemingly annoying Dilantin rash may actually be the start of a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Dilantin is an anticonvulsant medication that is used specifically to treat seizures that may occur during or after brain or nervous system surgery, particularly in people who have epilepsy. It is also sometimes used as a seizure preventive.

Its main function is to act on the brain’s sodium channels in order to suppress abnormal electrical activity. It is made by Pfizer, and has been continuously produced since 1938.

However, recently Dilantin has been linked to a serious and often fatal allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is typically caused by a severe allergic reaction to medication. SJS symptoms usually begin with a skin rash that can lead to blistering, severe peeling and open sores.

Often an SJS Syndrome rash is not diagnosed in time, and the condition becomes life-threatening. Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be caused by almost any medication, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, sedatives and painkillers, but Dilantin is reportedly highly associated with the allergic skin reaction.

SJS Syndrome symptoms include:

  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, burning eyes
  • Facial swelling
  • Tongue swelling
  • Hives
  • Skin pain
  • A red or purple skin rash that spreads within hours to days
  • Blisters on your skin and the mucous membranes of your mouth, nose, eyes and genitals
  • Skin shedding or sloughing

Dilantin Rash and Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a rare skin reaction, involves the development of blisters and burns that come from under the skin. In more severe cases, the skin reaction is known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or “TEN”.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin rash often results in hospitalization with treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Burn Unit, and it may be fatal in some cases.

Dilantin rash side effects could include:

  • Rash, blisters or red spots on the skin
  • Blisters in the mouth, eyes, ears, nose or genital area
  • Swelling of the eyelids
  • Fever or flu-like symptoms

A Dilantin rash that may be Stevens Johnson Syndrome could start with a fever, sore throat and fatigue. Ulcers and other lesions begin to appear in the skin, often in the mouth and lips or in the genital regions.

The Dilantin rash or lesions typically develop on the face, trunk, arms, legs and soles of the feet. These skin blisters after Dilantin use are extremely painful and debilitating.

Dilantin Rash Lawsuits

In 2008, the FDA began investigating Dilantin’s role in causing serious skin reactions such as Steven Johnson Syndrome. That same year, Pfizer added warnings about the increased risks of SJS and TEN to its product labeling.

This warning came too late for millions of patients who had already put themselves at risk by taking the medication.

Dilantin remains on the market, and to date the wide majority of Dilantin rash lawsuits stem from the development of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.  There is evidence that Pfizer was aware of Dilantin’s association with SJS and TEN, but did not share this information with consumers.

If you or a loved one was prescribed Dilantin and developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you may qualify to file a Dilantin lawsuit against the manufacturer for failure to warn about SJS Syndrome symptoms.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The SJS attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Dilantin class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Dilantin lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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Help for Victims of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Filing an SJS lawsuit or class action lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Obtain a free and confidential review of your case by filling out the form below.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

Please Note: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client, if you qualify, or getting you dropped as a client.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.