Norfloxacin is a part of one of the most popular antibiotic families in the United States, the quinolones, but has recently come under fire for its potential side effects. Like other quinolone antibiotics, Norfloxacin has been accused of causing a number of injuries in patients including liver damage, peripheral neuropathy, and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

These antibiotic side effects have led to a number of product liability lawsuits against drug makers, alleging they failed to adequately disclose the risks of side effects on drug labels.

Like other quinolone antibiotics, Norfloxacin is typically prescribed to treat a variety of unusual antibacterial infections, like urinary tract, and is sold under various names with the most common being, Noroxin. It is a first-generation quinolone and is manufactured by Merck & Co., but has taken a hit in popularity compared to some other quinolones, because some forms of bacteria has developed resistance against the drug.

Norfloxacin was approved to sell in the United States by the FDA on Oct. 31, 1986, as a treatment for bacterial infections for adult patients. Later on, it was approved to treat children over the age of 12 and became a popular choice amongst adult patients to treat certain sexually transmitted disease. Unfortunately, critics have pointed out that this medication is not particularly effective against the bacteria in these cases due to resistance development, which has decreased the drug’s popularity.

Norfloxacin works similarly to other quinolones, by stopping the regeneration ability of bacteria and limiting the range of infection. Sadly, it has become one of the many medications that has been shown to be weak against new generation bacteria strains, and eliminating a treatment choice for patients. Even with its decreased popularity, this drug is still subject to the criticism other quinolones are facing for certain adverse effects. In particular, a number of patients have reported developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after taking Norfloxacin and other quinolone antibiotics.

Medical experts state that antibiotics, antipsychotics, and antiepileptic drugs have been some of the mot popular varieties of drugs indicated on SJS injury reports. Lamictal and Zithromax are amongst the frequently mentioned drugs, from patients who complained that they developed severe rashes after taking the medications. It is also important to note that over-the-counter medications, like Ibuprofen, have also been indicated to trigger this reaction.

Due to the wide variety of medications that can induce this side effect, pharmaceutical companies are encouraged to include SJS on any of their products that have been indicated to cause it. Currently, Norfloxacin and most other quinolones do not mention Stevens Johnson Syndrome on their labels.


Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome

When a drug has been indicated to cause SJS, but it does not mention it on the drug’s label, it is highly alarming to medical and legal experts because patients are exposed to a potential danger. While SJS is famously characterized for the red or purple skin lesions it leaves on its victims, it can also be fatal if not treated in a timely manner. Along with permanent skin damage and potential blindness, it can cause severe organ damage that can have fatal consequences. Due to the way the skin detaches from the body in the lesion area, patients are often treated in the hospital’s burn unit.

Medical experts warn that if Stevens Johnson Syndrome were to appear, it would begin with flu-like symptoms and would occur within the first few weeks of starting the medication. It is important to remember that SJS is an allergic reaction that is specifically caused by one or more medications, which can be triggered at any point a patient uses a new drug. Additionally, SJS is an extremely rare occurrence with only 300 cases diagnosed per year in the United States.

Patients who suffer SJS are encouraged to seek legal counsel against manufacturing companies who did not warn them that their products could cause them that side effect.