Popular antiepileptic drug Dilantin (phenytoin) has been frequently linked to the devastating skin condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

SJS, a life-threatening allergic reaction, is often characterized by red or purple skin lesions and leaving permanent skin damage or blindness.

According to a recent study that included 15 American burn units, over 20 percent of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) cases, the more severe form of SJS, are linked to Dilantin prescriptions.

While Stevens Johnson Syndrome can occur from most medications, the strong association between the condition and Dilantin has been a concern for several years.

Approved in 1953 and manufactured by Pfizer, Dilantin is often prescribed to patients suffering from various forms of epilepsy. It works by slowing down the electrical signals in the brain, which helps the brain control the body’s impulses.

This medication is one of the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drugs in the United States but has been criticized multiple times for its severe side effects.

Overview of Dilantin SJS Complications

Dilantin-induced SJS has been reported since the 1930s, with it being estimated that 15 percent of all SJS cases ending up deadly. Stanford Hospital estimates that one in 10,000 patient Dilantin prescriptions result in a serious case of Dilantin SJS, with survivors often exhibiting skin scarring.

The skin lesions mentioned earlier often cause the skin to detach and shed off the body, which exposes inner tissue and muscle to potential infection. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare condition that is, sadly, often diagnosed after the condition progresses to a dangerous stage.

Early signs of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include flu symptoms and will occur within the first two to eight weeks of starting the medication. When the lesions appear the patient’s condition often deteriorates rapidly, which can lead to internal organ damage, throat swelling, and other dangerous symptoms.

Due to the nature of these injuries, SJS patients are often treated in the burn unit of hospitals. Up to 30 percent of the skin peels off of patients suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome, while TEN patients can lose more than 30 percent of their skin.

After years of Dilantin SJS reports, the FDA released a public warning regarding the alleged link in 2008. The warning went on further to say that patients of Asian and African ancestry may be at higher risk for developing SJS, along with patients who may be sensitive to medications.

Despite the severity of these complications, Pfizer has repeatedly denied that there is a correlation between their drug and the condition. Pfizer has been subjected to multiple Dilantin SJS lawsuits over the years, along with eight other pharmaceutical companies that produce generic Dilantin.