One of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the quinolone family, Trovafloxacin (Trovan), is under investigation for a possible link between taking the medication and developing the life-threatening dermatological condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Trovafloxacin, along with other quinolone antibiotics (Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox), are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections including: ear infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), and sinus infections. New reports show a possible serious side effect of consuming Trovan is developing a painful, severe rash that quickly spreads throughout the body.

The bestselling quinolone antibiotics, including Trovafloxacin, carry various warnings for side effects but plaintiffs filing SJS lawsuits claim the warnings carry little if any caution about the possibility of developing the deadly allergic skin reaction.

Victims of Trovan SJS allege that the quinolone drug manufacturers intentionally withheld information about the possibility of developing the SJS side effect and are seeking financial compensation for their pain and suffering.

What is SJS?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare dermatological condition that almost always requires hospitalization.

At first, SJS symptoms can be easily mistaken for the flu but then a rapidly spreading purple or red rash begins to appear on the skin and mucous membranes. The rash then develops into skin blisters, eventually resulting in the top layer of skin dying and shedding off.

Trovan SJS is an allergic drug reaction that can cover between 10 to 30 percent of the body. The progressed form of SJS is referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) which is even more serious. When the dermatological rash covers more than 30 percent of the body it is classified as TEN which carries a 40 percent mortality rate. 

An estimated 300 new cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are reported each year with about 15 percent of resulting in death. SJS treatment requires hospitalization as the skin is quite literally burning from the inside out.

Physicians must determine which drug is causing the allergic reaction in an effort to control the SJS symptoms.

Quinolone Antibiotics

Quinolones are some of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the United States. Some of the various brand names for the medication include:

• Trovafloxacin (Trovan)
• Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• Sparfloxacin (Zagam)
• Ofloxacin (Floxin)
• Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
• Norfloxacin (Chibroxin Ophthalmic)

Despite their popularity, these antibiotics have been the subject of thousands of quinolone lawsuits including those who report the drug caused them to suffer from SJS or TEN.

Quinolone Lawsuits

Many quinolone lawsuits have been filed against the drug manufacturers claiming the company did little to warn consumers against the possibility of developing SJS.

In addition to SJS and TEN side effects, plaintiffs are also reporting liver failure as another life-threatening side effect to taking quinolone medication such as Trovan. One study concluded that quinolone consumers had a greater chance of developing liver failure over non-users. Of the 144 patients diagnosed with quinolone liver failure, more than half died as a result.

Thousands of quinolone lawsuits have been filed so far from patients who claim they ingested antibiotic medication, like Trovan, and later developed SJS, TEN or liver failure as a quinolone side effect.