A study has connected Lomefloxacin, a type of quinolone antibiotic, with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Quinolone lawsuits in which plaintiffs claim they developed varying degrees of quinolone SJS, but were never properly warned about the risk, have already been filed.

SJS is a serious skin reaction that starts as a rash and can worsen to include blisters covering the body and the mouth/throat. The blisters tend to collect in moist regions of the body, and then cause the skin to peel off in sheets.

There have been reports of quinolone SJS deaths, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. According to researchers, prior to this case study, “only mild cutaneous reactions have been related to Lomefloxacin.”

In the study published in the Dermatology Journal, The researchers considered the case of a 30-year-old woman who was prescribed Lomefloxacin, and within 24 hours had a “severe skin reaction with symptoms suggesting SJS/TEN.”

It’s common for SJS to occur quickly after taking one of the many drugs linked with it. In addition to a quinolone multidistrict litigation (MDL), there are also class action lawsuits pending for SJS caused by anti-seizure medications and a host of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as Tylenol.

The researchers report that in this case, the reaction “worsened with skin blisters and 20 [percent] body surface area skin detachment within 48 (hours). Burn unit admittance was required; corticosteroids and human immunoglobins were administered. Complete recovery occurred within three months, except for epidermal discoloration.”

SJS is often misdiagnosed, especially in the early stages, and like many health concerns, the earlier it’s caught and treated, the better the recovery odds. It’s relatively rare still, and many physicians haven’t seen SJS in person before.

However, quinolone side effects include SJS more often than many other drugs, and that’s been at the heart of the growing quinolone MDL. Understanding the signs, symptoms and risks of SJS is key to prevention and acting quickly. Quinolone antibiotics have also been linked to other serious side effects, including heart issues (such as heart attacks) particularly in patients with existing heart conditions.

Spotting SJS

The early signs of SJS include a rash that can look mild. However, if blisters start appearing, particularly in wetter parts of the body, it’s crucial to get immediate medical attention. SJS victims are treated in burn units of hospitals because their symptoms mimic that of third-degree burn victims.

There’s no cure for SJS or TEN, but the body must be treated and kept clean in order to prevent infections that can be deadly and permanent disabilities.

There’s no way to tell who might be more at risk of SJS than others. However, keeping track of known allergens and which medications may have caused a rash (even if it didn’t develop into an SJS diagnosis) is key. Sometimes SJS goes away on its own and never turns from a rash into blisters. Other times, misdiagnoses can be deadly.