Since the 1970s, the medical impact of asthma has increased significantly throughout the years, with 235-300 million people projected to be affected by the condition in 2011.  With asthma on the rise, it is greatly concerning that one of the most popular treatment medications for this condition, Montelukast, has been determined to cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

About 250,000 people die from asthma each year, a common chronic inflammatory disease that is often characterized with sneezing, coughing, chest tightening, and shortness of breath.  It is currently unknown as to what causes asthma but it is theorized to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

While normally a minor inconvenience to patients, asthma can be deadly if left unchecked.  If an asthma attack strikes a patient and is not treated in immediacy, it could lead to the patient’s throat closing up, which would ultimately result in the patient’s death.  There are various medications to help treat this condition, one of the most popular being Montelukast.

Montelukast (Singulair) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist medication that is used to treat the symptoms of asthma, and to help manage the seasonal difficulties of allergies.  The medication works by blocking leukotriene receptors in the lungs and bronchial tubes, which is what typically causes inflammation in the nostrils.  It is highly effective in treating acute asthma attacks, and does not interact with any other asthma medications.  This medication is manufactured and developed by Merck & Co., and is approved to treat a number of conditions which include, but is not limited to: asthma, exercise induced bronchospasm, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria.

Unfortunately, this medication has been determined to cause the devastating condition, Stevens Johnson Syndrome.  It was officially added to the label on September 27, 2012, after several injury reports were submitted to Merck.

Sadly, this label update came too late to many patients who were affected by the medication, which has led to them suing Merck & Co. for negligence.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome Complications

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is characterized by purple or reddish blisters that appear across the patient’s body, which can take up to 30% of skin surface area.  It’s more severe form, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), is characterized by the same marks, but can take up to 90% of the body.  SJS typically occurs within the first two weeks of starting a medication, and starts off with a week of flu symptoms, but quickly evolves into a more serious condition.  Stevens Johnson Syndrome is specifically set off by an allergic reaction to medicine.

If not treated properly, this condition can be fatal, causing permanent damage in the form of scarring, blindness, and amputation.  Due to the nature of SJS symptoms, they are often treated in the same area of burn patients, even receiving the same treatments for skin detachment.  If not treated or diagnosed in time, this condition can be fatal.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a relatively rare condition, with only 300 cases diagnosed per year in the United States.  It occurs more commonly in adults than children.