Quinolone antibiotics, like Avelox, are used extensively in the treatment of various infections, such as common respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Consequently, Avelox and other quinolone antibiotics have also been linked to adverse reactions to drugs, including a severe allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

What is Avelox?

Avelox is a fourth-generation synthetic fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent developed by Bayer AG. Fluoroquinolones (or quinolones) are antibiotics that are commonly used to treat a variety of illnesses such as respiratory and urinary tract infections. These medicines are thought to be one of the most common causes of SJS.

Part of the problem is that quinolone antibiotics, like Avelox, are often reportedly inappropriately prescribed. Instead of being reserved for use against serious, perhaps life-threatening bacterial infections like hospital-acquired pneumonia, Avelox is frequently prescribed for sinusitis, bronchitis, earaches and other ailments that may resolve on their own or can be treated with less potent drugs or nondrug remedies.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical manufacturers are allegedly aware of the risks associated with Avelox and other antibiotic drugs, yet proper warnings are for the most part inadequate.

Avelox SJS Symptoms

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) usually begin with fever, headache, cough, and body aches. Then a red rash breaks out on the face and trunk, often spreading to the rest of the body in an irregular pattern.

The areas of the SJS rash often form blisters that break out on the mucous membranes, lining the mouth, throat, anus, genitals, and eyes. The skin of the blisters is very loose and easy to rub off.

In Avelox SJS, up to 30 percent of the body surface is affected. In toxic epidermal necrolysis, large areas of skin peel off, often with just a gentle touch or pull.

With toxic epidermal necrolysis, 30 percent or more of the body’s surface peels away. The affected areas of skin are painful, and the person feels very ill with chills and fever. In some people, the hair and nails fall out. The active stage of rash and skin loss can last between one day and 14 days.

The skin loss in toxic epidermal necrolysis is similar to a severe burn and is equally life threatening. A person who has this disorder is very susceptible to organ failure and infection at the sites of damaged, exposed tissues. Such infections are the most common cause of death in people with this disorder.

Avelox Lawsuits

Millions of patients place their trust in drug companies every day when they ingest medications designed to heal or abate their various symptoms. But on occasion, a severe reaction occurs. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare, but life-threatening reaction that has been noted in response to several quinolone antibiotics such as Avelox.

Many patients who have developed allergic reactions such as SJS by Avelox or other quinolone antibiotics have filed Avelox lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers in an attempt to gain justice for themselves or their loved one’s injuries.