Antibiotics are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the country with fluoroquinolone drugs accounting for a high percentage of those prescriptions. These strong antibiotics, however, have been linked to some serious side effects such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Fluoroquinolone drugs such as Cirpro have been named in SJS and TEN cases and have caused thousands of individuals to file SJS lawsuits against drug manufacturers.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome

SJS is an extremely dangerous and painful condition that is horrifying for an individual to go through and for a loved one to watch. It is an auto-immune disease caused by a severe allergic reaction to a drug, such as Cipro.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms begin with flu-like symptoms and then develop into a red or purplish rash. The rash spreads and develops into severe sores and blisters. The skin then almost literally burns off from the inside out, and the epidermal layer of skin can become separated from the dermal layer.

This separation leaves the body open to secondary infections and sepsis. Roughly 5-15 percent of SJS cases are fatal. Due to the severity of SJS side effects, immediate hospitalization is required. SJS is most commonly found in older individuals though many children have developed the condition after taking medication like Cipro.

If the condition covers more than 30 percent of the skin, the diagnosis changes to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis or TEN. TEN is more dangerous and painful than SJS. Some patients have had up to 90 percent of their skin affected by burns and sores. While SJS can cause the skin to shed, TEN can cause individuals to lose skin in large sheets. Thirty to 40 percent of TEN patients die from complications following the painful disease. Sepsis is the most common cause of death.

SJS and TEN can affect mucous membranes as well as the skin. Mucous membranes can be found in the eyes, mouth, nose, and genital area. Patients may be left with permanent SJS side effects such as scars, organ damage, blindness, or other complications.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a relatively rare condition. However, its severity and the fact that it is caused by medications has caused the medical community to be especially concerned with the disease.

Cipro Lawsuits

Cipro and other fluoroquinolone drugs are currently under investigation for causing adverse side effects such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Cipro is one of the main sources of SJS lawsuits, along with Levaquin and Avelox. Thousands of individuals who have experienced adverse Cipro side effects may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer for failing to warn against SJS side effects.

Nearly 50,000 complaints have been filed with the FDA concerning fluoroquinolone side effects. However, this number is most likely a small fraction of the reactions that individuals have experienced due to negligence on the part of drug manufacturers.