Lamictal, pain relievers, antibiotics, and other medications may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a dangerous and unpredictable reaction.

What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare and potentially deadly condition affecting the skin and mucous membranes that causes severe blisters and burns. The condition can almost always be linked to an infection or reaction to medication and can be very serious.

Most people who have Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) will require medical treatment at a hospital. Treatment usually involves identifying and eliminating the cause of the condition and minimizing complications. Recovery can take weeks to months, although the exact time period depends on the severity of symptoms and complications.

What Are the Symptoms and Complications of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome has symptoms that progress.  It usually begins with flu symptoms, including fever, sore mouth and throat, fatigue, coughing, burning eyes, and more. Eventually, the condition will progress to include the development of a red or purple rash.

A Stevens-Johnson syndrome rash will spread and may include blisters which form on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals. The skin can then proceed to shed.

Unfortunately, the rash from Stevens-Johnson syndrome can lead to serious complications.

Because the condition commonly damages the skin, it can grow back abnormally. This may result in bumps, abnormal coloring, scars, hair loss, and irregular toenails and fingernails.

A secondary skin infection from burst blisters or other skin abrasions can lead to further life-threatening complications including sepsis, or blood poisoning. Sepsis occurs when an infection spreads to the blood stream. This rapidly spreading condition can cause shock and organ failure.

Eye issues are also a potential complication of Stevens-Johnson syndrome if the condition affects the mucous membranes in the eye area. Eye inflammation is a possible complication that can have both mild and severe consequences. Mild eye inflammation may only result in irritated and dry eyes. More severe eye inflammation can lead to tissue damage, vision loss, and even complete blindness.

If Stevens-Johnson syndrome affects the lung lining, it can result in acute respiratory failure.

If the condition spreads to affect more than 30 percent of the skin, Stevens-Johnson syndrome can turn into a more serious condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Unlike Stevens-Johnson syndrome, TEN affects a larger portion of the skin and can be life-threatening with a mortality rate of between 25 and 30 percent.

What Drugs Can Cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

A reaction to drugs is one of the most common triggers of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The reaction may begin while the medication is being taken or not start until up to two weeks after treatment stops.

Drugs which may cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:

• Lamictal, a seizure medication
• Other anti-convulsant medications, such as Dilantin
• Allopurinol, a gout medication
• Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, etc.)
• The “oxicam” class of anti-inflammatories
• Penicillin and other infection-fighting medications
• Certain psychiatric drugs such as Zoloft

In the case of Lamictal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Stevens-Johnson syndrome safety warning in 2018, primarily over a condition called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Lamictal (also known by the generic name lamotrigine) is used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder. However, the FDA warned that Lamictal could cause skin rashes in patients, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Lamictal is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant GlaoxSmithKline, and was approved by the FDA in 1994. Since then, it has become a widely-used epilepsy treatment for adults and children two years and older.

Other causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome can include various infections, such as herpes (either herpes simplex or herpes zoster), pneumonia, HIV, and hepatitis B. Bacterial infections rarely cause the condition, but it could occur.

Can I File a Lamictal Lawsuit?

A growing number of people are coming forward with reports of Lamictal complications, including diagnosis with Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome after exposure to Lamictal, especially long-term exposure, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Litigation take away the pain and suffering caused by this serious condition, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with a major health complication like Lamictal Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.