In early 2011, a Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit was filed against Pfizer Inc. and its associates by a group of Illinois, Louisiana and New York plaintiffs alleging they or a deceased relative developed a potentially life-threating skin reaction after consuming the Pfizer brand epilepsy drug.

Dilantin has been used as an anticonvulsant treatment since 1939, but did not receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval until 1979. Since then, it has become one of the most popular and preferred prescription epilepsy medications.

According to the Dilantin SJS lawsuit, all the living and deceased plaintiffs allege they or a relative developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidural Necrolysis (TEN) as a result of taking Dilantin to manage epileptic conditions.

SJS and TEN start as rashes, which quickly lead to more serious side effects including burns, loss of eyesight, internal organ damage, and in some extreme cases, death.

Plaintiff Lyndora Thomas Taylor filed this joint Dilantin SJS lawsuit on behalf of her father John Taylor, who she alleges died on Dec. 31, 2009 from Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The other two plaintiffs, Shirley Johnson and Michael Shepherd, are filing on behalf of themselves alleging they developed SJS or TEN cases after ingesting Dilantin.

In the case of one of the plaintiffs, more than 10 years have passed since they were prescribed the anticonvulsant medication. However, the plaintiffs jointly assert that the statute of limitations has not run out on their SJS Dilantin claims because they did not become aware of the possible source of the SJS or TEN injuries until recently.

In their Dilantin SJS lawsuit, Taylor, Johnson, and Shepherd allege certain claims against Pfizer and their drug partners responsible for the production, design, and distribution of Dilantin, including: strict products liability, negligence, failure to warn, negligent misrepresentation, misrepresentation by omission, negligence per se, fraud and misrepresentation, fraud by concealment, violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and wrongful death.

The Dilantin SJS lawsuit plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and statutory damages, disgorgement of profits, and other terms from Pfizer as relief for their and their relatives’ suffering.

The Dilantin SJS Lawsuit is Taylor, et al. v. Pfizer Inc., et al., Case No. 10-L-669, in the St. Clair County Circuit Court, Illinois.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidural Necrolysis (TEN) are painful and deadly skin reactions that can occur as allergic side effects to a number of drug groups. When someone develops SJS or TEN, severe rashes will form on the skin, which then quickly progress to a burn-like state. As the skin reaction progresses, the top layer of skin cells will die, slough off, and leave the sensitive dermis layers and mucous membrane completely exposed to infection and possible blistering.

In some extreme cases, the pain and trauma experienced by the body may result in the death of an SJS victim.

Medications with SJS Side Effects

While a person could potentially develop an SJS or TEN allergic reaction from any medication, certain drugs have a higher prevalence of SJS victims than others. In addition to Dilantin, these drugs include:

• Antibiotics
• Anticonvulsants
• Sulfa based drugs
• Bactrim
• Septra
• Acetaminophen
• Amoxicillin
• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Barbiturates
• Ibuprofen-Motrin
• Penicillin
• Naproxen