The acid reflux drug Protonix has been linked with several cases  of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) — a painful and potentially life threatening skin condition.

Several individuals are seeking Steven Johnson Syndrome class action lawsuits against Protonix maker Pfizer Inc. for the pain and suffering endured as a result of their acid reflux medication.

This is not the first time Pfizer has been brought to court on charges regarding the Protonix drug. In December 2013, the U.S. Justice Department mandated Pfizer to pay a $55 million penalty for marketing Protonix for unapproved uses.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had only approved Protonix as a short term treatment for erosive esophagitis, a condition related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, Pfizer reportedly promoted Protonix as an all-encompassing treatment for all GERD symptoms, despite federal regulations on marketing and advertisement.

Protonix patients claim that not only is Pfizer at fault for overstating the efficacy and use of their Protonix drug, they also allege that Pfizer did not give sufficient warning of possible Protonix side effects, like the possibility of developing SJS, to their patients and doctors.

Background on Protonix

Protonix is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug manufactured and sold by Pfizer. This drug is used to treat GERD symptoms, like acid reflux and heartburn, by reducing the amount of stomach acid. Protonix was first approved to prevent and manage GERD and to treat erosive espophagitis in February 2000.The Protonix delay release tablet is mainly comprised of pantoprazole sodium and is generally prescribed for eight to 16 weeks in order to heal acid damage to the esophagus and stomach. The IV form of Protonix is used in extreme GERD cases and is usually prescribed for seven to 10 days.

According to Pfizer’s website promoting Protonix, the only serious side effects advertised are:

• Diarrhea
• Bone fractures
• Chronic (and lasting) stomach lining inflammation
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Low Magnesium

Nowhere in the advertised safety considerations and Protonix side effects listed on their website does Pfizer warn against the possibility of contracting SJS. Because of Pfizer’s unwillingness to warn consumers of all the dangers associated with their GERD drug treatment, many consumers are seeking legal recourse through Protonix SJS class action lawsuits.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and a related disease Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are life threatening skin conditions, resulting from an allergic reaction to certain prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Victims of SJS or TEN suffer extreme pain and sensitivity, because the top most layer of skin, known as the epidermis, separates from the deeper, more sensitive layer of skin, known as the dermis. Blistering of the sensitive mucous membrane is also likely to occur. As a result, these patients must be hospitalized for weeks to months at a time for continuous treatment and monitoring. In some cases, an SJS patient may die from the sustained trauma.

According to the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation, common SJS symptoms include:

• Painful blistering of the skin and mucous membrane
• Flu like symptoms and high fever
• Sloughing off of skin
• Sever eye conditions such as severe conjunctivis, iritis, palpebral edema, conjunctival and corneal blisters and erosions, and corneal perforation.

SJS resulting from Protonix Consumption

According to a study published on eHealthme.com on June 11, 2014, 34,629 Protonix users experienced side effects to the drug. Of those individuals, 117 contracted SJS. Over 74 percent of those who contracted SJS while on Protonix were women. Sixty-five percent of both men and women who contracted Protonix SJS were over the age of 60.

This a worrisome trend that suggests that those most at risk of contracting SJS after taking a round of Protonix are older female patients.