As a popular treatment for a variety of bacterial infections, Cipro (ciprofloxacin) is an antibiotic that patients know to ask for by name. It is a member of a class of antibiotics referred to as fluoroquinolones.

Cipro is a common treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections and more. Because it is so strong, Cipro is typically used as a second-line drug after other antibiotics used to treat the condition have failed.

But Cipro has been associated with a number of side effects such as tendon rupture, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, all of which may be linked to the way Cipro and other fluoroquinolones affect the collagen in the body. Cipro SJS is another possibility that may occur after taking this antibiotic.

SJS refers to a condition known as Stevens Johnson syndrome. It is a reaction to the antibiotic that can potentially be fatal.

A number of different medications have known links to Stevens Johnson syndrome. Some of these are over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Prescription drugs include anticonvulsants and anti-gout medications.

Cipro SJS Symptoms

Initially, the symptoms of Cipro SJS manifest as a flu-like condition. Patients commonly report a sore throat, fever, chills, malaise, fatigue and more. Sometimes, these symptoms are simply thought to be part of the initial infection for which treatment was sought. Other times, patients simply think they are coming down with a cold or the flu.

After the flulike symptoms appear, the characteristic SJS rash appears. It is red or purple in color, and it usually spreads from the torso towards the rest of the body.

The rash causes skin tissue to die and slough off in flakes, and sometimes in sheets if larger areas of skin are affected. Patients suffering from Stevens Johnson syndrome often look like burn victims due to its effects on the skin.

A Cipro SJS rash can affect up to 30% of the patient’s body. If more than that is affected, a more serious diagnosis of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is established. Both conditions are considered a medical emergency, and patients must be hospitalized in order to treat the disorder. Patients are typically treated in the intensive care unit or in a hospital’s burn unit.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for SJS or TEN. Hospital personnel can typically only provide palliative measures after they ensure the offending drug has been stopped. Supportive care includes wound treatment, pain management, hydration and nutrition in general measures to stabilize the patient.

Patients can be hospitalized for days, weeks, or months. Sometimes, patients endure the condition with no lasting effects, while others may suffer from severe and lasting organ damage or blindness. The mortality rate for SJS is approximately 5 percent to 15 percent, and that jumps up to 30 percent to 40 percent for those patients diagnosed with TEN.

Filing a Cipro Lawsuit

If you or a loved one developed Cipro SJS after taking the popular antibiotic, you may be able to take legal action against the manufacturer for failing to adequately warn patients about the possibility of this potentially deadly condition. An experienced attorney can review your case at no charge and can guide you in your legal options.