Dilantin, also known as phenytoin or phenytoin sodium, had been on the market since the 1930s, prescribed as an anti-seizure drug for epileptics. The drug, manufactured by Pfizer, is also used as a precautionary measure against seizures for people who suffer head injuries.

In some cases, Dilantin has been prescribed as a pain reliever for severe headaches when other drugs don’t work. However, Dilantin may be linked to a serious and often fatal disease known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Dilantin FDA Warning

The FDA has issued several warnings concerning Dilantin.  These safety communications are instituted by the federal agency to warn manufacturers, healthcare professionals and the general public of the risks associated with prescription drugs. The most important Dilantin FDA regulation is the Boxed Warning.

This Dilantin FDA regulation is directly placed on the drug’s packaging materials to warn consumers of the risks of serious dermatologic reactions. If a Dilantin rash forms, the patient must be evaluated for signs and symptoms of skin reactions caused by the drug—and the medical condition that prompts the bulk of Dilantin lawsuits, Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

As stated above, the wide majority of Dilantin lawsuits stem from the development of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and it’s more severe cousin, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a skin disorder that typically results from an allergic reaction to over-the-counter medication. The condition, which promotes cell death, is fatal in roughly 15% of cases. Early symptoms mimic flu symptoms with fever, headache and sore throat.

As the disease evolves, the patient will suffer from blisters and skin lesions as the patient’s skin peels off like a burn victim’s would. As the reaction spreads, it can progress to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). SJS and TEN side effects can lead to blindness, internal organ damage, and sometimes death.

SJS is estimated to affect 1,400 out of one million children and 900 out of one million adults. African Americans and Asian Americans are particularly susceptible to the disease. This is thought to be because of a gene in certain people that kicks their immune system into overdrive when metabolizing the drug, killing off healthy skin cells at a faster rate.

Dilantin Lawsuits

Most of the lawsuits being filed against the manufacturers of Dilantin are associated with the development of Dilantin SJS. This is not new – cases of SJS related to Dilantin use were reported as early as the 1930s.

Further medical studies in the 1980s show an overwhelming correlation between Dilantin use and the development of SJS Dilantin rash in both adult and pediatric patients. This was widely publicized in many medical textbooks that prominently displayed the high risk of developing SJS symptoms with continued use of Dilantin.

A study conducted in the 1980s also showed that the majority of people who developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome were using Dilantin.

If you or someone you love suffered from Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis as a result of taking Dilantin, you may be eligible to file a Dilantin SJS lawsuit.