Children’s Motrin Blinds 7-Year-Old Stevens Johnson Syndrome Victim

There will be a number of individuals testifying before the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who have suffered adverse drug reactions in the attempt to bring awareness to the severe side effect of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Seven-year-old Sabrina Johnson will be one of those providing testimony.

Sabrina’s development of Stevens Johnson Syndrome has affected her in a devastating way. Because of this terrible condition she is now blind. In fact, it was reported in the NBC News article that “even the slightest exposure to light hurts her eyes.” Sabrina explains, “I used to have to sit in a dark closet, with a hat on, sunglasses on, eyes closed and it was still too bright.”

What caused this terrible condition? It was the same situation thousands of parents face each and every day. Sabrina had a fever and her parents gave her Children’s Motrin in order to treat her fever — a common household over-the-counter medication that contains ibuprofen. Joan, Brierton-Johnson, Sabrina’s mother, stated, “Instead of getting better, we had a child who got much sicker.”

It was later determined by Sabrina’s medical team that the Children’s Motrin was believed to be the culprit in causing her to develop SJS. This severe condition causes the skin to blister, it can cause destruction to the victim’s immune system and, as in Sabrina’s case, it can cause blindness. Sabrina’s mom went on to say, “If I had known Stevens Johnson was a possibility for my child, there’s no chance she would have received this medication. It’s way too big a price.”

Stevens Johnson Syndrome has been fatal in many cases. Heather Kiss, a three-year-old from New Jersey, was an SJS victim and died in 2003 only one week after taking Children’s Advil, also an ibuprofen product like the Children’s Motrin. Although people in the medical community claim that this condition is rare, it still has devastating consequence for many families.

The manufacturer of Children’s Motrin provided a statement to NBC News saying, “We are deeply concerned about all matters related to our products and we are investigating the situation.”

There has been a Children’s Motrin Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit filed by Sabrina’s parents in which they name McNeil as well as Johnson & Johnson, the parent company, as defendants. One of their goals is to require the manufacturer s to place the side effect risk of developing SJS on the Children’s Motrin warning label contained on each box of the medication.

Sabrina’s pediatrician, Dr. Jay Gordon, commented on the use of Children’s Motrin by saying, “I’ve been a pediatrician for 25 years. I never recommended Children’s Advil or Children’s Motrin ever, not once. I would rather see Motrin and Advil as prescription medications because I think they have more side effects than acetaminophen — Tylenol-type medications.”

When asked how it was to be a mom of a child that has to go into surgery over 18 times, Sabrina’s mother responding with saying, “It’ll kill you.” It is the hope of Sabrina’s mother that one day her daughter will have her sight restored and that she will be able to see again.

If you have a story that resembles Sabrina’s heart breaking story, don’t hesitate to contact a qualified Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) lawsuit attorney. Visit the Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page right away to learn what your legal options are and receive a free review of your case from a qualified SJS lawyer.