The epileptic seizure medication Dilantin may carry a painful and deadly side effect known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The medication is considered one of the most effective ways to control convulsions and is commonly prescribed to patients undergoing brain surgery as a way to control inadvertent seizures.

However, many users report developing a Dilantin rash, or SJS, which is a potentially life-threatening allergic drug reaction.

Numerous Dilantin SJS lawsuits allege the drug manufacturer Pfizer failed to adequately warn consumers of the risks of developing a Dilantin rash. Recent settlements have awarded victims millions in financial compensation for their pain and suffering after developing Dilantin SJS.

What is Dilantin SJS?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare but serious skin reaction that has a 15 percent mortality rate. Dilantin is one of many medications being linked to SJS which is a severe drug reaction that leaves hundreds of patients hospitalized each year for weeks and even months of treatment.

SJS symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough
• Rapidly spreading purple or red rash
• Facial swelling
• Skin pain
• Blisters on skin and mucous membranes (in mouth, nose and eyes)
• Tongue swelling
• Skin sloughing

When the Dilantin rash covers up to 30 percent of the body it is considered SJS, when it spreads beyond that, it is then referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). When patients are diagnosed with TEN they have a 40 percent fatality risk.

Physicians treating SJS and TEN patients must focus their efforts on finding which medication is causing the severe drug reaction. Those who developed SJS as a Dilantin side effect are cautioned never to take that medication again.

In November 2008, the FDA issued warnings to the medical community as well as to consumers that Dilantin carried a SJS side effect. Despite the government warning, Dilantin lawsuits claim Pfizer has yet to update their warning labels to include the risk of developing either SJS or TEN as a side effect.

In addition to developing SJS as a Dilantin side effect, the medication also carries several other short-term and long-term side effects.

Short-term side effects include:

• Trouble with concentration
• Shaking of hands
• Drop in coordination
• Difficulties with memory
• Jerky eye movements
• Slurring of speech

Long-term side effects include:

• Nerve damage
• Bone weakness
• Gingival hyperplasia

Dilantin Rash Lawsuits

Plaintiffs in the more than 100 Dilantin lawsuits currently filed by SJS victims allege the drug manufacturer Pfizer was well aware of the SJS risks but did little to adequately inform patients of the potential risk.

SJS patients are seeking financial compensation for the medical expenses endured due to lengthy hospital stays. In addition, plaintiffs are asking for compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced after developing a Dilantin rash.

The drug maker Pfizer is also being accused in Dilantin lawsuits for negligence for not fully disclosing SJS risks. Many times lawsuits are the only way families can recover from the financial impact of developing a life-threatening condition such as SJS.