Teen’s Stevens Johnson Syndrome Linked to Ibuprofen
By Christina Drury
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a debilitating disorder that tends to attack a person’s skin. There have been many cases of SJS reported over the last several years, but the origin of the disorder is still unknown. While certain medications have been linked to the development of SJS – most commonly Ibuprofen and Dilantin – there is no way to predict if the disorder will occur or how severe it will present itself. Typically the disorder follows on the heels of an adverse reaction to medications. Quick medical attention is necessary in order to bring the disorder under control and prevent it from developing into toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS). Latest SJS/TENS Case Involves Teen
One of the latest medical cases involving Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis involved a 17-year old teenage boy named Carlton. The boy, who was attending boarding school, had gone to the infirmary with a bout of sniffles and a fever. The mother, who was called by the infirmary, advised the medical staff to monitor her son overnight and to administer medications such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol as necessary to keep the fever down. A few days later, still afflicted by the fever, Carlton was taken to the emergency room at a hospital that was local to the boarding school.
His mother quickly flew to Duke University Medical Center, where Carlton was subsequently transferred. Upon his arrival by ambulance, his mother quickly noted that he was red from head to toe. It wasn’t long after that Carlton was diagnosed with SJS and transferred to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to hallucinations that were a result of pain medications and his fever.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome Can be Deadly
SJS is a serious allergic reaction and can prove to be deadly if not treated in a timely manner. It involves the development of skin blisters, internal lesions and skin that sloughs off, which can leave a person’s body open to infection. With an already compromised immune system, it can be difficult to fight off infections, which is why most SJS/TENS occurrences are treated in the burn ward of a hospital. Oftentimes, after discontinuation of the original medication that caused the disorder, many patients will recover. Unfortunately, some cases of SJS/TENS prove to be fatal.
Fortunately for Carlton, after receiving ongoing treatment for a period of five weeks, he reportedly recovered fully, and was able to return to normal health. The only affliction he still had was blurry vision, which is common with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and, according to his doctors and his mother, is a treatable condition.
Seeking Help for SJS/TENS Side Effects
If you have suffered SJS side effects due to medications such as Ibuprofen, Dilantin or others known to cause the adverse reaction, you may be able to file an SJS/TENS lawsuit against the manufacturer. To get more information, visit our Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page where you will find details about ongoing investigations and how to submit your information to qualified attorneys.
Updated January 21st, 2013
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