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What Causes Stevens Johnson Syndrome?
By Andrea Gressman
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is usually brought about by an allergic reaction to a medication that is severe in nature. The first sign of SJS is typically a Stevens Johnson Syndrome rash. This often leads to severe peeling, blistering, and open sores. Additional SJS symptoms can include infections, due to skin loss, or scarring of the major organ systems, which can be potentially fatal. Often times the SJS rash is diagnosed too late and in many situations SJS could have been prevented, which has led to an onslaught of Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits. Did you or someone you love develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after taking a prescribed or over-the-counter drug? You may have a legal claim. Compensation specialists are waiting to review your case for free.
SJS is also known as Lyell’s Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, and then in its later stages it is referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. SJS is very serious and potentially fatal. The disease causes large sections of skin to detach, and lesions to form in the mucous membranes. SJS is both severe and life-threatening.
One of the most upsetting things when it comes to SJS is that pharmaceutical companies are aware of Stevens Johnson Syndrome side effect risks associated with their drugs, yet they fail to provide adequate warnings of these potential side effects. Many drugs available over-the-counter, including ibuprofen (found in Advil and Motrin) have been linked to SJS. Without proper warnings of the side effects, patients who develop SJS may still use the drugs responsible for their condition without knowing it, putting them at danger for developing Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).
Medications linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Nearly any medication may lead to SJS, including sedatives, anticonvulsants, antibiotics, and painkillers. The most prevalent causes of this disease have been linked to the following medications:
* Ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Advil, Motrin, Children’s Motrin and Nuprin)
* Sulfa drug Bactrim
* Antibiotic Ketek
* Anticonvulsant Dilantin
* COX-2 inhibitors Bextra, Vioxx, Celebrex, and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, including Daypro
* Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs, for example, Feldene and Naproxen
* Levaquin, belonging to fluoroquinolones, a class of drugs used in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections. This included bronchitis, pneumonia, skin, sinus, and urinary tract infections.
FDA Mandates Prescription and OTC Drug Warning Label Change to Include SJS as a Potential Side Effect
Many prescription as well as over-the-counter drugs have received updates to their warning labels, which were mandated by the FDA in May of 2006. This was the result of an elevated side effect risk of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The following medication either received a new warning all together in regards to SJS or received additional wording:
* Advil Allergy Sinus Tablets
* Advil Cold & Sinus Tablets
* Advil Liqui-Gels
* Advil Migraine Capsules
* Children’s Motrin Chewable Tablets
* Motrin Cold & Sinus Tablets
* Motrin IB Tablets
* Motrin Infants’ Drops
* Motrin Junior Strength Chewable Tablets
* Tolectin DS Capsules
* Tolectin 600 Tablets
An FDA alert issued in December of 2007 added Carbamazepine, which has been marketed as Carbatrol, Tegretol, Equetro, and generics) as a risk factor for SJS, with a special warning for Asian patients.
If you know someone who has been diagnoses with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and want to know more about filing a SJS lawsuit, please visit the Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page so you can discuss your particular situation with an experienced Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit attorney.
Updated October 16th, 2012
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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