The use of a popular anticonvulsant drug commonly used to treat more than just seizures has been linked to the development of an allergic drug reaction known as Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Dilantin, generically known as phenytoin, is an anti-epileptic drug with uses far beyond treating abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Physicians found that this drug was successful in treating a variety of mood disorders including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and more.

Some patients who have been unresponsive to other medications to control their seizures or mood-related conditions have found great success using Dilantin. Because of its wide clinical application, many patients who take the drug generally feel better and have a more positive outlook as well as have a decrease in physical symptomatology.

However, Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a condition that may occur in patients at any time while they are taking the drug. While the majority of SJS cases start at the outset of taking the drug, patients can go through weeks, months or years of having no issues with the drug and then can develop an SJS immune reaction at a later time.

What is Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an allergic reaction to an overwhelming variety of drugs, though it also sometimes happens in response to an infection. The immune system mounts a reaction to the drug that initially starts off looking a lot like the flu, with patients experiencing fever, sore throat, chills, nausea, malaise, fatigue and other symptoms common with the flu diagnosis.

A few days later, the rash that is characteristic of Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome begins to appear. This rash is typically red or purple in nature and forms blisters. The rash may be found in the mucous membranes of the body, such as in the nose, mouth, eyes or genital areas or may appear anywhere on the skin of the body.

If less than 30% of the body is covered in an SJS rash, the condition is referred to as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, but if more than 30% of the body is affected, an advanced diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is given.

The skin of the body where the blisters occur begins to slough off and expose the more delicate layers of skin below. Sometimes, this happens across wide areas of the body, and the skin can peel off in sheets.

Oftentimes, patients with Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome look like a burn victim due to the exposure of lower layers of skin below, and patients may be treated in the burn unit of the hospital or ICU.

There is no cure for Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and the condition must be managed in an emergency setting. The Dilantin should be immediately stopped, and supportive measures are undertaken in order to stabilize the patient.

Wound care, pain management, nutrition and hydration are the focus of treatment until the condition resolves itself.

For patients diagnosed with SJS, the mortality rate is approximately 5 to 15%, and for those diagnosed with TEN, the mortality rate increases to 25 to 35%. Some patients have a full or nearly full recovery with little to no lasting damage, while others may experience permanent blindness and organ damage as a result of the condition.

If you are taking Dilantin and are experiencing a rash, it is important to consult a physician immediately to rule out the possibility of Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome.