Daypro (oxaprozin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of Daypro can be Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a debilitating hypersensitive allergic reaction.

Daypro was approved by the FDA in October 1992.  The drug’s most frequent side effects are diarrhea, constipation, skin rash and nausea. Daypro can also cause heartburn, increased sweating, dry mouth, runny nose, blurred vision and ringing in the ears.

There is no way to tell if a Daypro skin rash will become full-blown Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), but SJS usually begins with flu-like symptoms including a cough producing thick sputum, headache, fatigue and joint pain.

The rash can occur anywhere, but is most often seen on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The rash sometimes affects only one area of the body, most often the trunk.

Daypro Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can become so severe that it leads to toxic dermal necrolysis (TEN), causing victims to lose large sheets of skin that come off of the body in addition to painful sores in the mouth, eyes, nose, anus and vagina.

Sores in the eyes can create holes in the corneas and result in blindness.

Many people with advanced Daypro Stevens Johnson Syndrome need hospitalization in burn units because the body basically suffers a chemical burn from the inside out.

People with Daypro rash that develops into Stevens Johnson Syndrome sometimes lose so much skin that their bodies look bloody. Patients’ skin is so raw, the blood and lymphatic fluid are exposed.

Skin is our body’s first line of defense against infection. When skin is gone, the chances of full-body infection known as sepsis can cause death.

Little can be done for victims, except for stopping the medication that has led to the symptoms. Sometimes, high doses of prednisone help calm the allergic reaction. Treatment is typical of patients who have experienced extensive burns.

Topical anesthesia helps reduce pain and saline compresses are applied to burned skin. Sometimes, skin grafts or even mucous membrane grafts are needed.

Those who survive Stevens Johnson Syndrome are left with emotional and physical scars.

Even though only 300 new cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are diagnosed each year in the United States, many of those are allegedly linked to an allergic reaction to NSAIDS such as Daypro.

Anyone who experiences signs of an allergic reaction to Daypro should see emergency medical help. In addition to experiencing a rash or hives, a person having an allergic reaction might experience difficulty breathing and swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. These can be life-threatening reactions.

If you have taken Daypro and experienced Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you might be eligible to participate in a products liability lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Pfizer.