An Indiana woman has been diagnosed with a rare skin disease known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and is receiving treatment at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee.

Donna E. was vacationing with her family and took some over-the-counter Tylenol to help her sleep. Soon after, she began experiencing flu-like symptoms and her eyes and face became swollen. Almost half of her body was also covered in a rash.

Donna was diagnosed with a rare allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and was sent to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, one of the country’s few hospitals that is equipped to treat SJS symptoms. Donna has made it to the recovery phase, but is still dealing with SJS side effects while undergoing intensive treatment to keep her eyesight.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare and serious allergic condition that starts with a fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. It happens in response to either an infection or a medication, most often the latter.

Donna suffered a rare reaction to an over-the-counter ibuprofen medication, which led to her SJS symptoms. Because the initial SJS symptoms mimic the flu, doctors often misdiagnose the reaction in its early phases and prescribe an antibiotic. Meanwhile, the disease progresses into a life-threatening condition.

Soon after the flu-like symptoms, ulcers develop on mucous membranes, most often in the mouth or on the lips, but possibly also in the anal or genital areas. In many cases, the eyes are affected with severe inflammation of the eyelid lining. Lesions in the mouth make it very difficult to eat or drink. Most victims suffer from an SJS rash with blisters of a red or purple color.

When SJS progresses to a more severe form, it is known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). TEN involves similar ulcers on the mucous membranes, and a more extensive skin rash with blisters. The skin lesions are about an inch wide and can appear anywhere on the body, even the soles of the feet, but not the scalp.

The blisters separate the top skin layer from the middle layer – the dermis, which has the skin’s blood supply (among other structures). Without the nutrients and oxygen delivered by arterial blood, the top skin layer dies and peels off, sometimes in large sheets. This is very painful and life-threatening. With SJS the rash tends to spread over about 10 percent of the body. With TEN, it can cover about 30 percent.

SJS Lawsuits

Millions of patients place their trust in drug companies every day when they take medications. But, on occasion, a severe reaction occurs.

Stevens Johnson syndrome is a rare but life-threatening reaction that has been noted in response to several over-the-counter and prescription medications. Though the FDA keeps watch for potential Stevens Johnson syndrome risks and attempts to inform consumers of these risks, it’s not clear when the condition will occur.

Many patients who have developed allergic reactions such as SJS to over-the-counter or prescription drugs have filed SJS lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers.