Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare and serious disorder that effects the skin and mucous membranes, and most often, it is a severe reaction to medication.

According to WebMD, it causes the skin to blister, and this can also occur on the inside of your body. It, therefore, makes it incredibly difficult to eat, swallow and even urinate. If this condition is treated right away, you can help protect your skin and other organs of the body from permanent damage.

Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include feeling like you have the flu and developing a fever. Other symptoms appear a few days later that include painful purple or red skin that appears burned or peeled off.

Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome can also include having watery, red and painful eyes, as well as developing blisters on the mouth, nose, skin and genitals.

If a person has Stevens Johnson Syndrome, several days before the rash develops some additional symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include: fever, fatigue, cough, sore mouth and throat and burning eyes.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an unpredictable and rare reaction. Although a physician may not be able to identify exactly what triggered or caused the condition, some medications are known to have an effect such as this.

Ibuprofen, the active ingredient in such common over-the-counter brand Advil, may also trigger the condition. The symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome in association with skin reactions to Advil include, facial swelling, hives and the inability to drink or eat.

With the initial onset of symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a patient must stop taking Advil immediately. Additional symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include an unexplained and persistent fever, worsening body rash, open lesions and sores in the eyes, throat, genitalia and mouth.

According to the World Health Organization, from 1973-2005, Health Canada received 4 reports of Stevens Johnson Syndrome links with ibuprofen. Three patients, at the time of the reporting, had not recovered from the diagnosis, while the outcome for one of the patients was also unknown.

The report consisted and involved patients who ranged in age between 13-34. According to the WHO, “the onset of reactions varied from the day of administration to approximately 15 days after starting ibuprofen.”

Recent Advil lawsuits have been filed by patients who claim to have developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome from taking Advil. The drug’s manufacturer, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, a pharmaceutical company, has been charged of inadequately disclosing the likelihood of developing such adverse skin reactions like Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Additionally, the lawsuits also allege that Wyeth Consumer Healthcare also failed to adequately disclose information of the risks in taking Advil to the public and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

According to lawsuits filed against the manufacturer, damages sought include mental anguish, physical impairment and physical pain. As a result of an allegedly defective product, medical expenses are also sought along with damages for loss of earning capacity.