Dilantin & Lamictal Linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Blisters will begin to develop on the skin and mucous membranes, especially in the mouth, nose, and eyes. Stevens Johnson Syndrome usually culminates in the shedding of the skin — which means that the top layer of the skin has died. It is incredibly painful and can make eating, urinating, and sleeping difficult. If blisters develop on the eye, SJS can cause blindness.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is fatal in about 5 percent of patients who contract it. Lesions can develop on internal organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver, causing inflammation on those organs. It can also cause sepsis, a condition in which the bacteria from the infection enter the bloodstream. It can take months to recover from and can leave lasting damage.

Seizure Drugs Linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome

The main ingredient in Dilantin, phenytoin sodium, was originally approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 1953. It is prescribed to treat temporal lobe seizures and grand mal seizures as well as prevent seizures in patients after major brain and spinal surgery.

The FDA has listed Dilantin as a drug with “Potential Signs of Serious Risks” in need of more research

Over 100 lawsuits claiming Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome have been filed against Pfizer and the makers of the generic versions of the drug, such as Mylan Pharmaceuticals and Baxter Healthcare, and more are expected. One of the Dilantin SJS lawsuits was filed on behalf of a young girl who died from complications caused by Stevens Johnson Syndrome. After taking Dilantin for less than a month, 9-year-old Jesse Jacobson passed away due to a severe reaction to the drug. Her family was awarded $3.78 million after settling with Pfizer in October 2010.

Lamictal is also an anticonvulsant or anti-epileptic drug used to prevent and control seizures, but it is also prescribed to treat extreme mood swings for those who suffer from bipolar disorder.

According to WebMD there are things that can put the patient at higher risk for a SJS Lamictal side effect.

“These rashes are more common in children under 16 than in adults,” WebMD says. “Rashes may be more likely if you start at too high a dose, if you increase your dose too quickly, or if you take this medication with certain other anti-seizure medications (valproic acid, divalproex).”

While SJS can occur at any time after the patient has begun taking Lamictal, most develop with in 2 to 8 weeks after beginning a Lamictal regimen.

New York actress Josephine Ganner recently came down with SJS while visiting her brother in Colorado 10 days after her New York physician had increased her dose.

According to Ganner, the Stevens Johnson Syndrome blisters spread inside and out of her body. She also developed blisters on her eyes. While the blisters on her skin recovered without a problem, the blisters on her eyes did leave scar tissue, which did cause blindness.

Ganner has not yet fully recovered from her Lamictal SJS reaction, but has been told by doctors and other SJS patients that she will.

File a Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit

If you or someone you know has suffered from Stevens Johnson Syndrome as the result of taking the Lamictal or Dilantin, legal options are available. Learn more and get a free consultation regarding a claim’s eligibility at the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Experienced legal professionals have access to medical experts to assess whether or not these seizure medications played a role in your allergic reaction, so act now.