Protonix Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a possible drug side effect so extreme and so rare that it may catch patients utterly by surprise.

Protonix is a medication used to reduce the amount of acid that’s produced in the stomach. It’s also known by the generic name pantoprazole. Since it was first approved by the FDA in 2000, Protonix has been approved as a treatment for gastrointestinal disorders like erosive esophagitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Zollinger-Ellingson Syndrome.

Protonix is in a group of stomach acid-reducing drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. These are some of the most widely-used drugs in the world. PPIs are generally recommended only for actual, diagnosable gastrointestinal conditions, but they also see some off-label use as a treatment for ordinary heartburn.

PPIs are just beginning to get caught up in a tidal wave of products liability litigation over a variety of different side effects. Dozens of plaintiffs have already filed claims alleging the drug’s manufacturers failed to properly warn them about side effects like kidney disease, heart attacks, dementia, and bone fractures.

A federal judicial panel is now contemplating how to organize the impending litigation over PPIs, which is expected to be unusually complicated. Due to the large number of PPIs on the market and their widespread use, the total number of claims filed is expected to reach into the tens of thousands.

Protonix Stevens Johnson Syndrome

One particularly destructive side effect associated with Protonix is Stevens Johnson Syndrome. This condition attacks the skin and mucous membranes, sometimes leaving permanent damage and threatening the patient with potentially deadly complications.

The trademark symptom of Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rash that quickly spreads over the body. Blisters form within these areas of rash. These blisters grow and peel away from the lower layers of skin.

The loss of a significant amount of outer skin can expose the patient to a serious risk of infection. Treatment for Protonix Stevens Johnson Syndrome typically centers on addressing that risk. Patients need to be hospitalized – in a burn unit if one is available – and care providers focus on control of symptoms and prevention of infection.

Early Signs and Symptoms

The very first signs of Protonix Stevens Johnson Syndrome are much less attention-getting. In fact, they are sometimes mistaken for an ordinary case of the flu.

Symptoms to watch for include fever, sore throat, body aches, cough or runny nose. These symptoms may go on for several days before the cardinal signs of Stevens Johnson Syndrome begin to appear.

The harm caused by Protonix Stevens Johnson Syndrome is profound. In addition to the extremely painful damage to their bodies, patients must spend days, weeks, or sometimes even more time in a hospital, racking up medical bills while being utterly unable to earn income by working.

Side effects as extreme as this may be out of proportion to the warning information provided on the drug’s labeling – which may give the patient grounds for legal action. A consultation with a knowledgeable products liability attorney can give a patient a basic understanding of their legal position and potential options.