Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a painful and sometimes fatal allergic skin reaction, most often caused by prescription and over-the-counter medications. While technically any medication may cause SJS or the related condition toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), there are different types which are more prone to causing SJS than others.

One group is over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers containing ibuprofen, one of the most common ingredients in OTC painkillers. This includes Motrin and Children’s Motrin.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld a $10 million verdict against McNeil-PPC Inc., the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that manufactures Children’s Motrin, in a Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit involving a 3-year-old girl’s severe allergic reaction to Motrin.

The girl experienced a severe and potentially fatal skin reaction called Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking several doses of Children’s Motrin for a slight fever and cold.

The reaction damages the skin, eyes, mouth, and genitalia. As a result of the SJS/TEN, the girl is now blind in one eye in addition to suffering permanent damage to her reproductive system and permanent disfigurement of her skin, according to the SJS lawsuit.

The $10 million in compensatory damages was awarded after the Pennsylvania jury found that the drug maker failed to adequately warn consumers of the risk of SJS/TEN from taking Children’s Motrin.

On appeal to the Superior Court, McNeil argued it could not have been found negligent for failing to include the early symptoms of SJS/TEN on the Children’s Motrin label because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not require them at the time the young girl developed the reaction.

The Superior Court rejected this argument on the grounds that the law clearly states that the manufacturer alone bears responsibility for crafting an adequate label.

What Causes Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

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

Often an SJS rash is not diagnosed in time and the condition becomes life-threatening. SJS can be caused by almost any medication, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, sedatives and painkillers.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms can begin with a fever, sore throat and headache and over a few days (or sometimes even minutes) can turn into skin lesions and blisters and respiratory infection. SJS 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

SJS Lawsuits

The Children’s Motrin SJS verdict marks the first affirmation of three multi-million dollar verdicts against the drug maker for its failure to warn of dangerous side effects of its Children’s Motrin product.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are aware of the risks associated with their drugs, yet proper warnings are for the most part inadequate on drug labels. Many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as Ibuprofen — found in Advil and Motrin — have been linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Without adequate warnings, patients who develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome may continue to take the SJS causing drug, which could lead to TEN.  If a drug has a black-box warning, SJS attorneys may consider a medical malpractice lawsuit.