Allergic Reaction Common Side Effect of Many Drugs
By Christina Drury
There are many medications on the market today that can cause a variety of different side effects and one of the most common of these is allergic reaction. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, allergic reactions account for 6 to 10 percent of all adverse drug reactions. One of the most dangerous and deadly allergic reactions related to over-the-counter drug use is a condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). SJS causes the outer skin to pull away from the layers underneath. Once it pulls away, the skin dies and sheds from the body. Symptoms of SJS are extremely painful and often very debilitating.
Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Once a patient develops Stevens Johnson Syndrome, there are several symptoms they may experience, including:
- Lesions, Skin Rash or Hives (Eyes, Mouth, Nose)
- Nausea
- Red or Purple Skin Rash (Rapidly spread)
- Shedding or Sloughing of the Skin
- Skin Pain
- Sore Throat
- Tongue and Facial Swelling
Symptoms of SJS can develop on any part of the surface of the patient’s body, but tend to be worse around the eyes, nose and mouth. Approximately 10 to 30 percent of Stevens Johnson Syndrome sufferers experience blindness or death. Blindness is a result of lesions on the eyes which lead to scarring.
What Type of Medication Causes Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Who Does it Affect?
SJS experts advise patients to alert their doctor immediately if they notice a rash developing after using any of the following medications:
- Anti-Epileptic Drugs
- Anti-Gout Drugs
- Mediations for Bacterial Infections
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Recent news reports have identified children as common sufferers of SJS; however, the rare skin reaction can affect infants, children, young adults and even elderly patients. The Center for Disease Control has reported that those at the highest risk of developing SJS are Caucasian men between the ages of 20 and 50.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits
There have been several lawsuits that have been filed against drug makers who failed to properly warn patients of the potentially severe and fatal skin reactions their medications may cause. Failing to adequately label medications has caused an unnecessary amount of patients to suffer from SJS which could potentially have been avoided with the proper warnings.
If you or someone you know has taken any of the above-mentioned medications and has developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome as a direct result, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Please visit our Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page to learn more about the condition and the medications that have been linked to it. On our website, you can also submit your information to our legal team of experts who can advise you on your lawsuit. Depending on your individual circumstances or the circumstances of the person you file on behalf of, you may receive compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and in some cases, wrongful death. Contact us today through our website for more information.
Updated February 11th, 2013
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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