Stevens Johnsons Syndrome (SJS) is a medical condition resulting from a drug reaction that affects the skin and mucous membranes. A few Americans are diagnosed with this rare disorder every year, and the medical condition requires immediate hospitalization.

The Mayo Clinic defines Stevens Johnsons Syndrome, as a “rare, serious disorder of your skin and mucous membranes. It’s usually a reaction to a medication or an infection.” For example, Tygacil SJS can occur after taking the antibacterial drug.

It begins with flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, fatigue, sore throat, or fever. But what follows, however, is a painful and red/purplish rash that can then spread and blister. The allergic reaction causes the mucous membranes and skin to feel like they are scorching and sweltering hot from the “inside out” as these blisters and severe skin burns form on the skin and mucous membranes. As such, facial swelling and tongue swelling also occurs.

Pharmaceutical companies have faced several lawsuits that accuse them of knowing the risks involved in taking these medications but insufficiently and inadequately informing their consumers.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome has been found to be acquired by patients, for example, who take the drug Tygacil. It can be especially acquired, through the use of this drug, in males, in those who are 60 and older, and even among those who have taken the drug for less than one month.

Tygacil SJS

Tygacil is known to be an antibacterial drug approved in treating difficult skin infections, intra-abdominal infections, and procured bacterial pneumonia. According to the FDA, the drug should only be used if there are no other treatment plans available.

In September 2013, the Federal Drug Administration, or FDA, released a drug safety announcement for the Tygacil drug.

In 2010, safety concerns were brought to the agency’s attention from the use of the medication and as a result, had prompted them to administer further research.

The results then led them to conclude that there is a direct correlation between Stevens Johnson Syndrome and the drug, among other adverse effects.

The Tygacil SJS correlation is just one among other adverse effects of the drug. Other Tygacil side effects include symptomatic hypoglycemia and fatal cases of acute pancreatitis.

Tygacil SJS is categorized as a potentially life-threatening condition because as blisters form and the red/purplish rash spreads, the areas of the skin affected peel off. This exposes patients to infections, that can then lead to a secondary infection called cellulitis, and then cause an infection in the blood, known as sepsis. The life-threatening blood infection occurs when bacteria enters the blood, and as it moves throughout the body, it causes shock and organ failure.

Tygacil SJS can also lead to blindness as the skin inflammation moves into the eyes. Other complications of the Tygacil SJS also include: abnormal fingernail and toenail growth, hair loss, organ damage, and permanent scarring.

Reports indicate that between 5% and 15% of patients diagnosed with a Tygacil SJS die. And among those diagnosed, extreme close supervision and monitoring are needed, while recovery time can be anywhere between a few weeks to a few months.