A Polish medical journal published a case study in 2014 of a Norfloxacin-induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome reaction. Although this is only the third known case of Norfloxacin quinolone SJS reaction, the researchers of this quinolone SJS study believe that prescribers should be aware of the possibility of a Norfloxacin SJS reaction among their patients.

In the June 2014 edition of the Journal of Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, a team of Polish researchers from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland, studied the case of a 68-year-old man who contracted Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking the Norfloxacin quinolone antibiotic drug (also known as Chibroxin Ophthalmic or Noroxin Oral).

Norfloxacin Stevens Johnson Syndrome Reaction

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are rare allergic skin reactions that have, in some cases, been lethal. SJS and TEN are technically the same disease, though SJS only covers about 10 to 30 percent of the skin with blisters and lesions, while TEN covers 30 percent or more of a patient’s skin with this painful skin allergy. Both can result in the skin layers peeling away from the mucous membrane, permanent scarring, blindness, and even death.

Norfloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic drug usually prescribed to treat urinary tract infections, prostatitis, and some sexually transmitted diseases. Norfloxacin is not a drug typically known to induce SJS; other quinolone antibiotic drugs that have allegedly caused adverse quinolone SJS reactions include Avelox, Levaquin, and Cipro.

The man studied in the Polish Norfloxacin quinolone SJS study was prescribed Norfloxacin to treat a urinary tract infection. He was admitted to the hospital with skin lesions covering his torso, face, and upper arms, just four days after starting the Norfloxacin antibiotic. Upon admission to the hospital, 20 percent of the patient’s body was covered in SJS rashes, blisters, and lesions. The SJS symptoms persisted even after two days of treatment, with the lesions extending to other areas of the patient’s body, including the scrotum and perianal area. The quinolone SJS skin reaction even attached to the man’s mucous membrane, leading to difficulties swallowing and vision loss.

After 30 days of monitoring and care, including administration of steroids, fluids, and topical therapy, the patient was discharged from the hospital in what the researchers deem an “overall good condition.” However, like most quinolone SJS survivors, it is likely that he will suffer from ongoing SJS side effects including permanent scarring and vision impairments.

Quinolone Stevens Johnson Syndrome Litigation

As a result of the pain and suffering many patients experience from the allergic skin reaction, as well as the medical expenses associated with treating SJS symptoms, many patients or families of patients choose to file Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits or join quinolone SJS class action lawsuits against drug manufacturers. A Stevens Johnson Syndrome class action lawsuit allows patients to receive compensation for not only the money spent on medical treatment, but also for the physical, emotional, and mental pain SJS victims suffer.