Recent research indicates that Dilantin may have a high likelihood of inducing Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) in certain users. Patients across the country are prescribed Dilantin (generic: phenytoin) to treat seizures, and are often unaware that this dangerous side effect can occur when taking this medication.

Dilantin is one of the most prescribed seizure medications in America and is listed as an essential drug by the World Health Organization, which means it should be included in even the most basic healthcare systems. Unfortunately, numerous complaints allege that this drug can cause patients to develop the dangerous condition Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare but devastating allergic skin reaction that can be caused by an adverse response to medication. This condition is often identified by the red or purple skin lesions that appear on the patient’s skin and quickly progress into blisters that cause the skin to slough off in sheets.

As of now it is unknown why some patients suffer this condition and some do not, but experts have several theories. One study suggested that certain genetic traits are more vulnerable to Stevens Johnson Syndrome because their body lacks the ability to resist the condition, with other experts suggesting that it may be due to medication sensitivity or medication allergies.

Anyone who presents symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome should report these signs to a doctor immediately. If left alone, SJS can cause permanent and fatal damage. The first signs of SJS are flu-like symptoms that appear within the first few weeks of starting a medication.

Overview of Dilantin SJS Consequences

In one example of Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a case study of a 28-year-old woman was documented after she developed SJS after taking Dilantin. She had been prescribed Dilantin after suffering from tonic clonic seizures, which specifically need Dilantin, phenytoin or similar anticonvulsants to treat.

The patient was prescribed Dilantin on the first day of being admitted into the emergency room to treat her tonic clonic seizures. It was on day three of her stay that she developed a mild fever, with rashes appearing all over her body. Doctors took her off of Dilantin after this reaction.

Despite ceasing the medication, the patient developed ulcers in her mouth and her skin rash evolved into general areas of irritation a day later, with the skin detaching. She remained in this painful condition for several days. Doctors treated her with different steroids with little result. By day 16, she had developed a urinary tract infection, and her skin had started rapidly peeling off a day later.

By day 20, she was transferred to the ICU where all medication was discontinued. By this time she complained of burning inside and outside of her body, and was suffering from fevers, shivers, and increasing blindness. While she was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome early on, the doctors had to experiment with different treatment methods to stop the condition from worsening.  However, on the 21^st day she was given methylprednisolone for five days, which allowed the patient to be cured of the condition.

While this woman had a happy ending to her story, many Stevens Johnson Syndrome sufferers are unable to say the same. Many SJS victims who are forced to contend with the condition as long as her often do not make it due to the fast and aggressive nature of the condition. Beyond the skin lesions, blindness, and ulcers, SJS can cause severe organ damage that can be fatal.

Over 300 cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are diagnosed each year in the United States, making it is important for drug companies to include this side effect as a possibility if it has been indicated to cause it. However, many drug manufacturers fail to include a warning for Stevens Johnson Syndrome on drug labels. This has led to a number of SJS lawsuits seeking compensation for failure to warn, negligence, and other damages.

Dilantin SJS patients suing Dilantin’s manufacturer, Pfizer, allege that the company failed to protect them against Dilantin side effects by failing to adequately describe the risk of SJS on the drug’s label. The charges often mentioned in Dilantin SJS lawsuits include: negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.