Boy Gets Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Onfi; Mother Sues

A Texas mother is suing European drug giant Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals, alleging that her son developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after ingesting the company’s anti-seizure drug Onfi. The minor victim was taking the medication to help control his epileptic seizures.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare allergic skin reaction that can occur after taking a medication. The syndrome is typically diagnosed by the mass blistering of the skin, which can cause the skin to slough off, leaving permanent damage. If left untreated, Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be fatal to the patient and should be treated as quickly as possible.

The plaintiff in the Onfi Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit, Kelly Gutierrez, initially agreed to allow her son to take Onfi (Clobazam) after her physician recommended it to treat his epilepsy. However, after only several weeks of treatment, her son’s eye color began to change and he developed a rash all over his body several days later, along with several blisters in his mouth. Gutierrez took her son to the emergency room after he started to show signs of respiratory distress. While in the hospital, he had a series of skin grafts performed to replace the skin that had died.

Understandably, Gutierrez is distraught saying that her son is now “horribly disfigured, has stitches in his eyes, is blind, and suffers horrific pain on a daily basis.”

Nowhere on Onfi’s warning label did it say that Stevens Johnson Syndrome would be a possible side effect. Gutierrez and her physician had no reason to suspect or expect any extreme reaction to the medication based on the information Lundbeck had given them. 

At this time, Gutierrez is suing Lundbeck for product liability, negligence, gross negligence, and other punitive damages.

Overview of Onfi and Stevens Johnson Syndrome 

Onfi (Clobazam) is an anticonvulsant drug which has been on the European market since 1975, but was not approved to be sold in the United States until 2011. It is manufactured by Lundbeck, and is approved to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in the United States. In other countries, it is currently approved to treat different types of seizures, mood disorders, anxiety, and depression.

Since the Onfi’s entrance into the United States, it has been successful for most people. However, like Gutierrez, not all have had pleasant experiences with the new drug. Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) has been among one of the most concerning complications that has been brought up.

SJS is a severe allergic skin reaction onset by different medications. The condition typically occurs within the first two to four weeks after starting the medication, and will normally start with minor rashes in different areas of the body.

If left untreated, SJS can quickly progress into a later form called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and can be fatal to the patient. The primary difference between SJS and TEN is the amount of area coverage the blisters occur of the body; SJS typically covers about 30%, while TEN can cover up to 90%. Additionally, due to the fact that these rashes and blisters can occur in mucus membranes around the body, both conditions present significant threat to the patient’s eye sight.

Due to the fact that both SJS and TEN are so severe when they strike, it is vital that proper warnings are put on drug labels. There are approximately 300 cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome diagnosed every year.

File an Onfi Lawsuit Today

If you or a loved one suffered an injury from Onfi side effects, you have legal options. Please visit the Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned SJS lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The SJS lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.