Across the seas, Norfolk teenager Leanne Howes allegedly developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome from taking an over-the-counter heartburn medication. Her reaction to the medication was reportedly so severe that she was only given a 10 percent chance of survival by her doctors. Howes was left hospitalized for a month.

Her reaction to the medication was a severe and allergic reaction called Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The condition reportedly left her unrecognizable with her skin in blisters all over her body. Howes was training to be a hairdresser at the time she developed SJS after ingesting  Zantac Ranitidine, which had been prescribed by her doctor to treat her Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Howes had reportedly not even been on the medication one week when SJS struck. She says she took her medication after school. That night, she felt nauseous before she went to bed. She woke up the next morning to the large, gaping rash. The same night, blisters had developed on her tongue and in her throat, which left her struggling to breathe the next morning.

Howes was rushed to the hospital by her mother, Amanda Corley, where she was then diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The doctors stated that due to her severity at the time she was brought in, it was highly unlikely she would survive through the night. Luckily, Howes pulled through and fought her way through the condition. She spent the following four weeks on morphine, was unable walk or talk, and had to be fed through a tube.

The SJS reaction was so severe that Howes spent more than a year recovering from the condition. While she is alive, she still suffers from dry and bumpy skin. She must take prescription eye drops twice a day as the condition had scarred her tear ducts, leaving her with permanently watery eyes.

The drug’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, apologized to publicly to any patients who may have suffered SJS from taking their medications, after receiving news of Howes’ case. The company states that they are deeply committed to manufacturing quality products, and always prioritized the patients’ safety.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare allergic reaction that is specifically triggered by one or more medications. The condition is rare, with only 300 cases diagnosed per year in the United States. Like Howes, many cases of SJS occur within the first two weeks of taking the medication, starting with minor symptoms that are mostly flu-like, but then spiral into severe blisters and breathing obstacles. Due to the nature of the blisters, SJS patients are often treated similarly to burn patients, as their skin literally detaches from their bodies.

When Stevens-Johnson Syndrome occurs, it typically covers up to 10 to 30 percent of the skin’s surface area and attacks the mucous areas of the body, including the eyes, nose, tongue, throat, anus and vagina. If left untreated, this condition can be fatal, leading to organ failure and permanent damage to the patient’s sight. A more severe stage of this condition is known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), where the symptoms are even more severe, and when blisters can cover up to 90 percent of the body.

Despite the severity of these symptoms, SJS is rarely labeled on medications as a side effect due to the unlikelihood of patients experiencing it. Legal experts state that this omission is negligent. Because a possibility exists for a severe reaction, some experts argue that preventative measures must be taken.