A Louisiana girl and her family are raising awareness of a painful and sometimes fatal skin condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, which commonly occurs as a skin reaction to various types of over-the-counter and prescription medications. A number of patients across the country who contracted SJS as a result of ingesting a certain type of medication have pursued SJS lawsuits against drug manufacturers that allegedly failed to fully warn consumers of the risk of contracting this serious condition.

Over the past year, the 9-year-old girl from Lafayette, La., was diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and was hospitalized at Shriners Hospital for Children for the burns and blisters she developed. For many SJS patients, in addition to the topmost layer of skin sloughing off, the sensitive mucous membrane can become blistered and infected around the eyes, mouth, and throat, as reportedly happened to the young girl.

She was treated at Shriners, where care is provided to patients regardless of the ability to pay. Because of the care and her recovery, her family are organizing a 1K and 5K run later this year to spread awareness of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Not all SJS victims are fortunate enough to receive paid medical care like this young SJS victim. In many cases, SJS victims are hospitalized for weeks to months at a time with insurance companies and immediate family footing the medical bills. As a result of the pain and suffering experienced by patients, as well as the medical cost associated with SJS care, many individuals and families have filed SJS lawsuits and class action lawsuits against drug manufacturers.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and a closely related skin condition called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are painful, and often fatal, conditions that occur after a person experiences an allergic reaction to certain groups of drugs. When a person develops SJS or TEN, the top layer of skin cells die and fall off, which leaves the more sensitive skin layers and mucous membrane vulnerable to exposure and infection. In many cases, the delicate mucous membrane will become infected and blister from the lack of the protective epidermal later.

Although a majority of SJS victims make full recoveries, they can still experience extreme physical, emotional, and mental trauma. In some cases, the shock to body may lead to death.

Some symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include:

• Painful blistering of the skin and mucous membrane involvement.
• Flu-like symptoms and high fever.
• Skin that sloughs off.
• Ocular involvement includes severe conjunctivis, iritis, palpebral edema, conjunctival and corneal blisters and erosions, and corneal perforation.

Medications with SJS Side Effects

While a person could potentially contact an SJS or TEN allergic reaction from any medication, certain drugs have a higher prevalence of SJS victims than others. These drugs include:

• Antibiotics
• Anticonvulsants
• Sulfa based drugs
• Bactrim
• Septra
• Acetaminophen
• Amoxicillin
• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Barbiturates
• Ibuprofen-Motrin
• Penicillin
• Naproxen