Avelox is a fourth generation quinolone antibiotic, prescribed to treat a verity of bacterial infections.

Even though Avelox and other antibiotics have been especially effective against respiratory and urinary tract infections, patients have reportedly suffered severe adverse effects from the drug.

One of these complications include the extreme allergic reaction, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Approved by the FDA on Nov. 10, 1999 and manufactured by Bayer Corporation, Avelox was one of the first synthetic antibiotics in pharmaceutical histpry. Upon its release, experts believed these synthetic drugs would have less likelihood to cause adverse effects in patients due to their nature.

Injury reports have indicated otherwise, as patients reportedly developed serious complications like nerve damage and Stevens Johnson Syndrome. In fact, medications like Avelox are thought to be some of the most commonly indicated medications to induce an SJS reaction.

According to ehealthme, a study was conducted to observe Avelox patients who had been taking the drug to treat bronchitis. The study observed 20,151 patients, who reported their adverse effects to the FDA and other social media.

On April 18, 2016, it was concluded that 218 (1.08%) of patients had developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Avelox patients should also be wary of minor adverse effects such as fatigue, changes in bruising, changes in urination, and other unusual changes to the body.

Avelox Stevens Johnson Syndrome

It is believed that Avelox adverse side effects, like Stevens Johnson Syndrome, are due to the drug being prescribed for insufficient conditions or viral conditions, both of which Avelox is not needed or useless respectively. Others contend that it is due to the drugs’ manufacturing process, and the manufacturing companies’ decision to omit these adverse effects from the warning labels.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is as rare as it is extreme, with less than 1,000 patients diagnosed per year in the United States. Avelox patients who develop SJS are actually allergic to the drug and suffer extreme biological reactions.

This condition if often characterized by the red or purple skin lesions that develop on the patient’s skin, but can also be identified by the lesions left on the patient’s eyes or lips. The lesions cause the effected skin to fall off, which exposes the patient for greater complications like infection.

Due to the nature of these injuries, patients often have to be treated in the burn unit of hospitals. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely dangerous condition that can fatal very quickly, so hospital intervention is vital.

Early signs of Avelox SJS begin with flu symptoms, and will occur during the first few weeks of starting the medication. Patients taking Avelox or any other medications should be aware of any adverse effects they might suffer, including symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Patients who suffer Avelox SJS may be eligible to file negligence charges against the manufacturing companies. Potential claimants should contact a specialized lawyer as soon as possible.