An Onfi SJS lawsuit was filed by the mother of a Texas child who allegedly developed SJS and TEN after taking the clobazam drug Onfi.

Onfi is an anti-seizure medication manufactured by Lundbeck LLC used to treat Lennox-Gastaut, a condition that affects young children with severe epilepsy. However, while Onfi has had great success in helping control and manage patients’ seizures, there have been reports of many consumers developing SJS or TEN as a Onfi side effect.

Plaintiff Kelly G. filed this Onfi lawsuit on behalf of her 9-year-old son who was prescribed Onfi to manage his epileptic seizures. Three weeks after beginning his Onfi treatment, Kelly’s son allegedly began to exhibit SJS side effects. According to the Onfi SJS lawsuit:

“L.G.’s mother noticed a change in the color of the pigmentation in L.G.’s eyes. Several days later, after what looked like chicken pox developed all over his body, L.G. began having difficulty breathing and was taken to the emergency room. The next day, L.G.’s mouth filled with severe blisters. Just days later, L.G.’s condition had worsened to the point that he was air lifted to Shriner’s Burn Hospital in Galveston, where he was placed in the intensive care unit.”

Once at Shriner’s, Kelly’s son underwent four surgeries, which included pig skin grafts to replace the skin lost because of the SJS/TEN. The child also needed stitches in his eyes in order to repair the damage done to the mucous membrane by the skin condition. According to the Onfi SJS class action lawsuit, he is now blind, disfigured and suffers from daily chronic pain stemming from SJS/TEN.

Kelly has brought several allegations against Onfi manufacturer Lundbeck, including claims of strict product liability, failure to warn, design defect, negligence, and gross negligence.

The Onfi SJS Lawsuit is Case No. 3:12-cv-00105, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas Galveston Division.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are painful and often fatal skin conditions. SJS and TEN develop as allergic skin reactions that can be set off by a host of prescription and over-the-counter medications including Onfi.

When a patient develops SJS or TEN, the individual’s topmost skin cells die and slough off leaving the deeper layers exposed and unprotected. The sensitive mucous membrane is then exposed and may be prone to infection and blistering. Because of the extreme pain experienced by SJS victims and care needed to recover, SJS/TEN victims require weeks or months of hospitalization.

As a result of the pain and suffering experienced by Onfi consumers who allegedly developed SJS and TEN, many individuals and families of individuals have filed Onfi SJS lawsuits or joined Onfi SJS class action lawsuits.