Naproxen belongs to a class of drugs specifically designed to be safer than similar medications. However, a subset of patients may suffer a life-threatening reaction to Naproxen called Stevens Johnson Syndrome. This could lead to legal action from patients who experience this drug reaction — or their next of kin.

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. NSAIDs are a type of drug designed to reduce pain and inflammation. They are intended to be safer than other drugs that serve similar purposes, including steroids and narcotics. Steroids are useful drugs, but can cause mood swings and suppress the immune system. Narcotics are extremely effective painkillers, but have a high potential for abuse. NSAIDs like Naproxen are meant as a third alternative, without the risk of addiction or suppression of the immune system. However, Naproxen may carry the risk of Stevens Johnson syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is a type of autoimmune reaction. Autoimmune reactions are situations in which the body’s immune system attacks the patient’s own body. In the case of SJS, the immune system attacks the patient’s skin, the largest organ in the human body. The reaction begins with fever, aches and other flu-like symptoms. However, this escalates rapidly to skin rash, with blisters, then sores, and ultimately ulcers. The damage can spread to the internal organs and the eyes. In some cases, the reaction may be fatal. Even survivors may face lifelong complications including blindness, disfigurement, and impaired organ function. The most extreme cases may escalate to a related disorder called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). TEN is a more severe form of SJS, in which patches of the skin die and slough off, leaving burn-like wounds.

The vast majority of SJS cases can be traced to a patient reacting to various drugs, including Naproxen and other NSAIDs. Once a patient develops this kind of reaction, physicians have few options. Most other autoimmune reactions respond favorably to steroids, but SJS is so rare that there is not enough data to evaluate this treatment. However, some evidence suggests that treatment could make SJS worse. Instead, physicians are mostly limited to supportive therapy. This means that physicians work to address the symptoms and keep the patient comfortable long enough to survive the reaction.

SJS Lawsuits have been filed by patients who have suffered from SJS after taking various drugs. These SJS lawsuits allege that drug manufacturers are aware of the risk of complications including SJS, but have not done enough to warn the general public of these risks, endangering lives in order to sell pharmaceuticals. These SJS lawsuits typically seek to recoup the cost of medical care, get compensation for the victims’ reduced income potential, and, in some cases, to pay for final expenses.