Dilantin Reactions Can Cause SJS & TEN in Susceptible Patients

Dilantin was first discovered in 1908 by Heinrich Biltz, a German chemist. It was not discovered until later that the drug had anti-seizure properties. The effects of Dilantin were discovered by seeking out chemicals structurally similar to existing seizure medications. In 1938, several scientists discovered that Dilantin treated seizures, and did so without the drowsiness side effects found in other seizure drugs known before then.

Despite its usefulness, it has been found that Dilantin can trigger a number of serious autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune disorders are disease where the body attacks itself, mistaking its own tissues for invading germs. Specifically, Dilantin has been implicated in causing drug-induced lupus and “purple glove syndrome” – a disorder where the hands become swollen and discolored. Among the other autoimmune diseases reported by patients taking Dilantin is Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome or SJS is a syndrome where the body attacks its own skin. The disorder starts with flu-like, general symptoms. These SJS symptoms progress to a painful rash on the skin with sores, which can also occur on the mucous membranes like the mouth and eyes. The sores give way to ulcers, and in some cases, the SJS symptoms can spread to the internal organs. However, the most serious cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome progress to a form of the disease known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

In Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis or TEN, the damage from SJS reaches even more serious levels. Large patches of the skin die and slough off, leavening the patient with damage very similar to burns.

Both disorders may have very serious complications. The damage to the skin can result in permanent disfigurement. The open wounds on the skin also leave patients vulnerable to secondary infection.

In TEN, the most hospitals can do is to treat the disorder like a severe burn, since the massive damage to the skin so closely resembles the harm caused by physically burning large portions of the skin. The scarring can make it hard for a patient to move normally, in addition to cosmetic damage. Additionally, organ damage can occur in patients where the syndrome moved past the skin.

Five percent of patients with SJS die from the skin reaction. While this number might not sound high, it is twice the mortality rate for the infamous Spanish Flu of 1918, a disease that killed millions. Additionally, TEN has a much higher mortality rate of 30 to 40 percent.

If you, or someone you care about, suffered from SJS or TEN after taking Dilantin, you have a lot to deal with. These diseases cause serious damage to the body, and often require long hospital stays. This convalescence, combined with lost wages, can leave patients struggling to get their life back together, even as they struggle to recover from the illness itself. But you need to remember that you have rights, and there are steps that you can to regain control over your situation. You can start by visiting the Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation for a free legal review of your case.