Dilantin, a drug used to treat epilepsy, may be able to predict Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers have isolated and identified a CYP2 gene variant that can determine if Dilantin side effects can cause patients to develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

The study involved 105 cases from 2002-2014 involving patients who took Dilantin and developed adverse reactions, including Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Researchers also looked at 130 patients who tolerated Dilantin well and a control group of 3,655 subjects not on the drug from Taiwan, Japan and Malaysia.

The study elicits possible links the role of genetics plays in determining a patient’s risk of SJS, since patients with certain variants of the CYP2C gene appeared to be more likely to suffer severe skin reaction when taking Dilantin.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is typically caused by a severe allergic reaction to 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. 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

Side Effects of Dilantin

The anti-epileptic drug Dilantin has been linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Dilantin is one of the most commonly prescribed anti-seizure medications in the United States and has been marketed by Pfizer and its predecessor companies since 1936. A study that included 15 burn centers showed that more than 20 percent of TEN cases are believed to be caused by Dilantin, with fatalities in approximately one of every four cases. Possible Dilantin side effects can include:

• Liver Damage
• Rash
• Hallucinations
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Decreased Blood Pressure
• Increased Blood Sugar
• Birth Defects

Dilantin SJS Lawsuits

Dilantin has been named in at least 100 lawsuits that claim the drug caused the serious, and sometimes fatal, Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against Dilantin manufacturer Pfizer claiming that Dilantin caused SJS or TEN. The Dilantin lawsuit alleges that Pfizer knew of the drug’s dangers and that Dilantin substantially increased the risk of adverse skin reactions compared to other drugs on the market.