Dilantin (phenytoin) is one of the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs in the United States and has been a reliable treatment option for decades. Since 1953, patients with complex partial seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures, have used Dilantin to prevent themselves from suffering violent seizures.

Dilantin was the first modern drug to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to treat those who suffer from epilepsy, and it has been listed as an important medication needed for a basic health system, according to the World Health Organization.

However, Dilantin has been linked to a dangerous side effect called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Cases of Dilantin SJS have been reported as far back as the 1930s, with experts estimating that 300 new cases of SJS are diagnosed per year in the United States. Specifically, experts suspect that 1,400 out of 1 million children may be struck with SJS, with the number decreasing to 900 out of 1 million in adults.

Furthermore, it is estimated that 15 percent of all Stevens Johnson Syndrome cases are fatal because it is often diagnosed too late, and has caused too much harm to the patients. With numerous studies showing that Dilantin is likely to have SJS as a possible side effect, medical experts are calling for Pfizer to update Dilantin’s label to include Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

In the past several years, Pfizer has been at the subject of several Dilantin SJS lawsuits, alleging that the company knew about the condition being a side effect but had deliberately concealed this information.

Currently, there are over 120 Dilantin SJS lawsuits filed across the United States and Pfizer has agreed to several settlements. For example, Pfizer agreed to a $3.78 million settlement in November 2010, after a family sued the family for the death of their child. The little girl had allegedly ingested Dilantin while following the prescription instructions and died a month later due to the Stevens Johnson Syndrome injuries.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a severe allergic reaction, which is specifically caused by an adverse reaction from one or more medications. It is characterized by red or purple skin lesions that appear all over the body, which causes the skin to detach and melt off the patient. This exposes the patient to potentially greater infections and allows for the possibility of greater health risks.

Other than devastating skin rashes, SJS can also cause potential blindness, infect the internal organs, and possibly  lead to death if the symptoms are allowed to fester. Due to the nature of these injuries, SJS patients are often treated in the burn unit of the hospital, because skin grafts are often required to replace lost skin.

However, even with advanced treatments, SJS survivors will often have permanent scarring from their ordeal and will never forget their experiences. Additionally, SJS is an extremely rare reaction that physicians seldom encounter, which leads to late diagnoses and increased side effects for the patient.

The FDA and other healthcare providers encourage pharmaceutical companies to include SJS, as well as its severe cousin Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Not only would it prevent avoidable injuries, but would also provide adequate warnings to the patients about the potential side effects they may be experiencing.