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Patients taking Tegretol may benefit from asking their doctor about the risk of developing Tegretol Stevens Johnson syndrome.
Tegretol is a brand name that refers to a drug known generically as carbamazepine. It’s an anticonvulsant medication that works by keeping abnormal electrical activity in the brain under control.
Tegretol is used by itself or in combination with other drugs to control certain types of seizures in patients who have epilepsy. It also is used occasionally in treating trigeminal neuralgia and manic or mixed episodes of bipolar 1 disorder.
One of the potential complications of Tegretol is a destructive skin disorder known as Stevens Johnson syndrome. Tegretol Stevens Johnson syndrome is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that causes damage to the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs.
Symptoms of Tegretol Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Typically, Tegretol Stevens Johnson syndrome occurs within the first few months of treatment. It tends to begin with flu-like symptoms like fever, cough and sore throat.
These symptoms are followed by a rash and blisters that spread over the body. The blisters enlarge into areas of skin that come loose and peel away.
Lesions also form on the mucous membranes. These lesions often cause eye problems such as conjunctivitis or corneal damage. In some cases, eye symptoms have been severe enough to leave the patient permanently blind.
The condition can also cause painful lesions on the mucous membranes that line the digestive, respiratory or genitourinary systems.
In addition to being as painful and destructive as it sounds, SJS puts the patient at risk for systemic infections and organ failure.
Tegretol is also associated with a closely related and more severe condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis. By definition, TEN affects 30 percent or more of the body surface area. Cases that afflict less than 30 percent may be considered overlap between TEN and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
Treatment of SJS or TEN primarily focuses on preventing infection, since infection in such a compromised state can be deadly. Patients generally must be hospitalized, in an intensive care unit or burn unit if one is available.
Once the cause of the condition is found and removed, providers focus on fluid replacement and wound care while the body gets a chance to heal itself.
Asian Patients Face a Particular Risk
Patients with Asian ancestry are most at risk for developing Tegretol Stevens Johnson syndrome, due to an inherited genetic risk factor. Doctors can test for this genetic risk factor to give patients a better idea of their odds.
Patients who don’t have this genetic risk factor are at less of a risk but are still not entirely in the clear.
The FDA issued a warning about this risk in December 2007. The agency says the genetic risk factor is found almost exclusively in patients with ancestry from broad areas of Asia, including South Asian Indians.
The FDA recommends these patients get tested for the particular allele associated with this risk factor before taking Tegretol or other carbamazepine products. The agency also mandated a change in the labeling of Tegretol to alert patients and doctors to this risk.
The warning advises patients taking Tegretol to consult their doctor immediately at the first sign of any rash.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Stevens Johnson Syndrome attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, SJS 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:Â 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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