Patients who take Zarontin may be at risk of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome, also known as SJS.

A class action lawsuit investigation is investigating whether the makers of Zarontin failed to warn the medical community and the general public about dangerous side effects associated with using the medication.

What is Zarontin?

Zarontin, generically known as ethosuximide, is well known anti-epileptic or anti convulsant medication.  Medical professionals prescribe Zarontin alone or in combination with other medications in order to treat absence seizures, or petit mal seizures in both adults and children.

Zarontin works by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain.  This is effective because the brain and nerves are made up of nerve cells that send communication through electrical signals.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes sudden and reoccurring loss of consciousness, convulsions, or sensory disturbances due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.  While the symptoms of epilepsy seizures may effect all parts of the human body the electrical disturbances that cause the symptoms occur in the brain.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, the location where the electrical activity occurs in the brain, how it spreads, how much of the brain the activity effects, and how long the seizures last determine the character of the seizures and their impact on the individual’s life.

To be diagnosed with epilepsy a person must experience one or more seizures not caused by some other known and reversible condition, such as low blood sugar or alcohol withdrawal.  Often the cause of epilepsy remains unknown. Patients who suffer from epileptic seizures can take medications like Zarontin to help reduce the symptoms of their seizures.

Zarontin Stevens Johnson Syndrome

One of the purported side effects recently associated with taking Zarontin is Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).  Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a very rare but serious condition that effects the mucus membranes and skin.  While there can be various causes of Stevens Johnson Syndrome it is often onset by an allergic reaction to medications like Zarontin.

Patients who begin to experience the symptoms of SJS should seek medical attention immediately.  Doctors will often have patients stop any non essential medications in hopes of reversing symptoms, but patients should not stop any medications without first consulting a medical professional.

Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome often resemble the flu at first. A patient may experience a fever, cough, sore throat and mouth, or feel fatigue.  In a few days a patient with Stevens Johnson Syndrome will likely develop hives, a quickly spreading red or purple rash, blisters on and around the eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals and in serious cases the shedding of skin.

Some patients may develop Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, also known as TEN.  TEN shares similar symptoms to Stevens Johnson Syndrome but covers much more of the body and the risk of death increases in patients.

Zarontin Lawsuits

Patients who have experienced Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking Zarontin may be eligible to join a lawsuit investigation.  Filing a lawsuit against pharmaceutical manufactures help to hold these companies accountable to consumers.  Companies sometimes need reminders that they cannot put making a profit above the health and safety of consumers.