Dilantin (Phenytoin) is a godsend for some seizure patients. The drug can reign in certain types of debilitating seizures. But unfortunately, some patients experience debilitating autoimmune reactions from the drug. Some Dilantin users are more prone to developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a potentially fatal reaction to medication that is more prevalent among certain patient populations.

Dilantin Side Effects

Phenytoin, the active ingredient of Dilantin, was first synthesized in 1908. It took three decades for researchers to realize the drug could be used to control seizures. Prior to this, the only way to control seizures was a drug called Phenobarbital, which effectively sedated patients to control seizures.

The drug can have a number of serious side effects. Dilantin side effects include things like anemia due to changes in blood chemistry, and overgrowth of the gums. Vision problems are also associated with the drugs. The drug even increases the risk of cancer. However, autoimmune diseases are a relatively new concern for patients.

What is SJS?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is an autoimmune reaction, a reaction where the victim’s own immune system attacks the body. In SJS, the immune system goes haywire, and mistakes the skin for an invading disease. In the vast majority of cases, a specific drug triggers SJS.

The syndrome starts with flu-like symptoms, including chills, fever, and muscle aches. However, this rapidly progresses to a painful skin rash. The rash start with blisters, then moves on to sores, and then ulcers as the reaction progresses. In some cases, the rash can spread to the eyes or even the internal organs. This can lead to complications including blindness and permanent organ damage. In some cases, SJS can be fatal.

The most extreme cases of SJS can progress to a form of the disease called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis or TEN. In TEN, patches of the skin completely die and slough off, leaving burn-like wounds. In TEN, the mortality rate jumps to 40 percent, a death rate comparable to the Ebola virus.

Dilantin class action lawsuits have been filed by Stevens Johnson Syndrome victims and their families over claims that they were not adequately warned about the risks of Dilantin side effects like SJS.

Who’s at Risk for SJS?

SJS is a rare enough disease that many questions remain about it. Different drugs trigger the disease in different people. It appears that certain genes make a person more likely to develop SJS, but many people develop SJS who do not have the genes in question, and many people with these genes never develop SJS.

One gene has been identified as having a role in SJS. The gene HLA-B comes in several different versions, called alleles. One allele, HLA-B*1502 appears to make a person more likely to develop SJS when exposed to Dilantin. The HLA-B*1502 allele is widespread throughout the peoples of Asia, including China and parts of India. Physicians sometimes have people from these areas tested for this allele before prescribing Dilantin. However, even in the case of HLA-B*1502, more appears to be going on, since some people develop SJS from Dilantin without the gene, and some people with the gene have used Dilantin without incident.

Dilantin class action lawsuits have alleged that regardless of who’s at risk for SJS, drug makers did not do enough to adequately warn patients of these risks.