The quinolone antibiotic Cipro has allegedly caused multiple cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a dangerous and painful skin condition.

Cipro is one of many quinolone antibiotics that has been involved in SJS investigations. Considering the popularity of Cipro and quinolone antibiotics in general, the potential SJS side effects have caused many medical professionals to be concerned and many patients to file lawsuits against drug manufacturers for failing to warn against SJS side effects.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a severe skin condition that essentially causes the skin to burn off from the inside out. SJS symptoms begin with flu-like symptoms and a red or purplish rash before developing into painful blisters.

These blisters can spread across the skin as well as the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, and genital ). The peeling can become so severe that patients experience skin loss.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can involve up to 30% of the skin and may take up to two months to recover from. Up to 15% of SJS cases are fatal. SJS side effects may include permanent scarring, blindness, organ damage, and others.

If the blisters and sores cover more than 30% of the body, the diagnosis changes to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). TEN can cause patients to lose large sheets of skin at a time. This leaves the body open to secondary conditions as well as sepsis (blood infection, and some 30%-40% of TEN patients die from the side effects.

SJS and TEN are rare but potentially deadly allergic reactions to drugs, such as Cipro.

Cipro Lawsuits

Many individuals have chosen to file Cipro lawsuits against the drug manufacturer claiming that the drug caused their severe Stevens Johnson Syndrome condition. Plaintiffs hope to win compensation for pain and suffering caused by quinolone antibiotics as well as medical bills, loss of income, and other damages.

Families of loved ones may file a wrongful death Cipro lawsuit if their family member died from TEN or SJS side effects. Plaintiffs may also file for loss of consortium if SJS or TEN caused them to lose intimacy with their spouse.

Other quinolone antibiotics such as Levaquin and Avelox are also currently under investigation in SJS lawsuits. These strong antibiotics, which are prescribed to treat a wide number of bacterial infections (including urinary tract, sinus, and ear) may have caused thousands of individuals to suffer from painful SJS side effects.

The FDA Adverse Events Reporting System showed that almost 45,000 quinolone antibiotics complaints were filed over a 13-year period. This is only a fraction of  how many people have suffered from Cipro or other side effects. A quinolone SJS class action lawsuit investigation is currently underway.