Dilantin, one of America’s most popular antiepileptic drugs has recently been at the center of controversy, for several severe side effects. One of the anti-seizure drug’s side effects is a rare skin disorder known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

This severe allergic reaction, is infamous for inducing extreme skin and swelling reactions that often leaving skin scarring, and permanently altering the patient’s life.

Dilantin is one of the most popularly prescribed antiepileptic drugs in the United States, receiving FDA approval in 1953 for the treatment of seizure disorders. It was not long after its market release that patients started complaining of Dilantin SJS, with the FDA eventually requiring Pfizer to update Dilantin’s warning label to include SJS in November 2008.

The FDA also warned that recent data had suggested that patients of Asian descent who carry the gene allele HLA-B*1602 are particularly vulnerable to Dilantin SJS. While experts warn that Stevens Johnson Syndrome can come from potentially any adverse drug reaction, injury reports indicate that patients of that particular genealogy may be predisposed.

Additionally, research indicates that patients who have a history of drug sensitivity or are taking more than one medication are also at risk. It is important to note that SJS is specifically caused by an allergic drug reaction to a medication such as Dilantin.

SJS is an extremely rare condition, with only about 300 cases diagnosed per year. Due to the condition’s rarity, pharmaceutical companies are often reluctant to mention it on drug labels, in order to protect their products’ market values. Pfizer, along with generic Dilantin manufacturing companies, have been repeatedly criticized of doing this and have been hit with numerous product-liability allegations.

According to legal reports, many Dilantin SJS lawsuits allege that the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System, World Health Organization (WHO), and Health Canada Adverse Event Database, confirm that Dilantin causes adverse skin reactions. With different sources producing similar data, it can be ascertained that Pfizer most likely knew of the problem.

This is highly problematic as Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be potentially deadly, and should be treated as soon as possible. Even though the SJS side effect is now mentioned on Dilantin’s label, doctors seldom diagnose the condition at an early stage, as most medical experts have not encountered this rare condition.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Complications

Stevens Johnson Syndrome normally begins with flu-like symptoms within the first few weeks of starting a medication, like Dilantin, with these symptoms lasting up to two weeks.

After this initial stage, red or purple skin lesions begin to appear on the patient’s body, which eventually peel off and expose inner tissue to potential infection. Additionally, the patient’s throat, mouth, and eyelids may begin to swell, and problems with breathing and swallowing may occur.

Due to the nature of these injuries, patients are often treated in the burn units of hospitals. Patients with severe cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome often need skin grafts, and feeding tubes to keep them alive.

A number of SJS survivors complain that they never would have taken their respective medications if they had known the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome; Dilantin is included in this.

If you or a loved one has suffered from Dilantin SJS as a consequence of taking prescribed Dilantin, you may be eligible to pursue a Dilantin SJS lawsuit.