Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a serious medical condition that, if not diagnosed early on, can become fatal. One of the dangers of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is that its initial symptoms are very much like the common flu. These symptoms may be misdiagnosed, which can cause a delay in necessary treatment.

SJS can allegedly be a serious and severe reaction resulting from drugs. Some reports have linked SJS to the drug Dilantin.

Dilantin (phenytoin) is one of the most common drugs prescribed to treat epilepsy in the United States. However, there have been complaints and criticism regarding Dilantin because of the possibility of the drug’s serious side effects.

The serious possible side effects include SJS, a skin condition marked by red or purple skin lesions that can cause the skin to peel off.

Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin include swelling of the eyelids, flu or fever like symptoms, rash or red spots and blisters on the skin and blisters forming in the ears, eyes, nose, genital area and mouth.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin may begin with fatigue, a sore throat and a fever. Later, lesions and other ulcers may start to appear on a person’s skin and even in the genital area, mouth or lips, as well. Reports maintain that the lesions or rash may also appear on a person’s arms, legs, face, and the soles of their feet.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin includes symptoms that are extremely painful and incapacitating.

Dilantin was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1953 for the treatment of seizures, excessive and abnormal brain cell activity. More than 200,000 U.S. cases occur per year. Although the condition cannot be cured, treatment can help.

During a seizure, which may result from a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, a person experiences strange or abnormal sensations, symptoms and behavior, and may also include a lack of consciousness. Epilepsy is a group of related disorders characterized by the tendency for recurrent seizures.

Dilantin may also be sold under the name Phenytek. According to reports by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in November 2008 new warnings regarding the risks of Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin were to be added to the warning label.

The FDA stated in an alert in November 2008 that “FDA is investigating new preliminary data regarding a potential increased risk of serious skin reactions including Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) from phenytoin therapy in Asian patients positive for a particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele. HLA-B*1502.”

According to the announcement, they suggested that persons of Asian descent who carry the HLA-B*1502 allele may face an increased risk for developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin.

Although it may look like the warnings of contracting Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Dilantin have been out for some time, drug manufacturers may have failed to adequately warn of these serious risks in an effort to place their own profits and gains at the forefront.