medication side effects - harmful drug litigation - mass tort lawsuits
Stevens Johnson Syndrome may be caused by a severe allergic reaction or side effect of many types of medications. If you or a loved have Stevens Johnson Syndrome as a result of medication side effects you may be entitled to compensation.
 
SJS Lawsuit
Stevens Johnson Syndrome May Be Caused By Medication
SJS News

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is representing individuals that have Stevens Johnson Syndrome due to side effects of prescription drugs and over the counter medications. For more information about a Steven's Johnson Syndrome related lawsuit click here to contact our lawyers for a free, confidential case evaluation.

 

FDA Medication Guide

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is an immune-complex–mediated hypersensitivity complex that is a severe expression of erythema multiforme. Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is also now known as erythema multiforme major (EM), leyll's Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Stevens Johnson Syndrome typically involves the skin and the mucous membranes. While minor presentations may occur, significant involvement of oral, nasal, eye, vaginal, urethral, GI, and lower respiratory tract mucous membranes may develop in the course of the illness. GI and respiratory involvement may progress to necrosis. Steven's Johnson Syndrome is a serious systemic disorder with the potential for severe morbidity and even death.

Although Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, Leyll's Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis may be caused by viral infections or malignancies severe allergic reactions to medication is the leading cause. Medications that have traditionally been known to lead to Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, Leyll's Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis include:

  • sulfonamides (antibiotics)
  • penicillin's (antibiotics)
  • barbiturates (sedatives)
  • phenytoin - Dilantin (anticonvulsant)

More recently reports show that other drugs may also be responsible for the onset of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, Leyll's Syndrome, and Toxic Epidermal. Experts believe that Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's) including Daypro (Oxaprozein), the popular COX-2 inhibitors Vioxx (Rofecoxib), Celebrex (Celecoxib), and Bextra (Valdecoxib) are a leading cause of the disease. Other Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs such as Feldene (Piroxicam), Naproxen (Aleve) and Ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil, Motrin, Childrens Motrin and Nuprin) are also a leading cause of the disease. Other popular medications that are known to cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome include the popular antibiotic medications Zithromax, also known as a z-pack, and Keflex (cephalexin). Coreg (carvedilol) a popular beta blocker, is also known to cause SJS.

On May 16, 2006 the FDA released an updated warning label for several prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications as a result of increased risk of developing Steven's Johnson Syndrome. The following drugs had either a new warning regarding Steven's Johnson Syndrome or additional wording:

  • Tolectin 600 Tablets (Tometin Sodium)
  • Tolectin DS Capsules (Tometin Sodium)
  • Advil Allergy Sinus Tablets (200 mg ibuprofen / 30 mg pseudoephedrine HCI / 2 mg chlorpheniramine maleate)
  • Advil Cold & Sinus Tablets (200 mg ibuprofen / 30 mg pseudoephedrine HCI)
  • Advil Liqui-Gels (200 mg ibuprofen capsules)
  • Advil Migraine Capsules (200 mg ibuprofen)
  • Children's Motrin Chewable Tablets (50 mg ibuprofen)
  • Motrin Junior Strength Chewable Tablets (100 mg ibuprofen)
  • Motrin Cold & Sinus Tablets (200 mg ibuprofen / 30 mg pseudoephedrine HCI)
  • Motrin IB Tablets (200 mg ibuprofen)
  • Motrin Infants' Drops (50 mg / 1.25 mL ibuprofen oral suspension)

If you or a loved one have developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Erythema Multiforme, Leyll's Syndrome, or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis as a result of medication side effects you may be entitled to compensation. Click here for a free, confidential legal consultation or call 1-800-856-6405 to speak to an attorney.

Typically, the disease process begins with a nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection. This usually is part of a 1- to 14-day prodrome during which fever, sore throat, chills, headache, and malaise may be present. Vomiting and diarrhea are occasionally noted as part of the prodrome. Mucocutaneous lesions develop abruptly. Clusters of outbreaks last from 2-4 weeks. The lesions are typically nonpruritic. A history of fever or localized worsening should suggest a superimposed infection; however, fever has been reported to occur in up to 85% of cases. Involvement of oral and/or mucous membranes may be severe enough that patients may not be able to eat or drink. Patients with genitourinary involvement may complain of dysuria or an inability to void. A history of a previous outbreak of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or of erythema multiforme may be elicited. Recurrences may occur if the responsible agent is not eliminated or if the patient is re exposed.Typical symptoms are as follows:

The rash can begin as macules that develop into papules, vesicles, bullae, urticarial plaques, or confluent erythema. The center of these lesions may be vesicular, purpuric, or necrotic. The typical lesion has the appearance of a target. The target is considered pathognomonic. Lesions may become bullous and later rupture, leaving denuded skin. The skin becomes susceptible to secondary infection. Urticarial lesions typically are not pruritic. Infection may be responsible for the scarring associated with morbidity. Although lesions may occur anywhere, the palms, soles, dorsum of hands, and extensor surfaces are most commonly affected. The rash may be confined to any one area of the body, most often the trunk. Mucosal involvement may include erythema, edema, sloughing, blistering, ulceration, and necrosis. The following signs may be noted on examination:

Although mild forms of Erythema Multiforme usually resolve without difficulty in 2 - 6 weeks more severe forms may be difficult to treat. Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Epidermal Necrolysis are associated with high death rates and even with treatment the following complications may occur:

  • Permanent skin damage and scarring
  • Occasionally, lesions on internal organs causing:
    • Pneumonitis (lung inflammation)
    • Myocarditis (heart inflammation)
    • Nephritis (kidney inflammation)
    • Hepatitis (liver inflammation)
  • Secondary skin infection
  • Systemic infection
  • Severe loss of body fluid resulting in shock

 

Ennis & Ennis, P.A. is representing individuals that have Stevens Johnson Syndrome due to side effects of prescription drugs. For more information about a Steven's Johnson Syndrome related lawsuit click here to contact our lawyers for a free, confidential case evaluation.

04/14/2008 - In November and December 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved safety labeling revisions to advise of the risk for serious rash in genetically at-risk patients receiving treatment with carbamazepine More ::

04/01/2008 - Erythema multiforme is the skin problem which occurs as the reaction due to infection or medication and is discovered by Ferdinand von Hebra in 1866. In this disease a red rash is obtain on the skin which is the sequence of the spots. Sometimes they are purple in color. More ::

01/30/08 - Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It begins with several days of flu-like symptoms, followed by inflammation of your mucous membranes and a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters, eventually causing the top layer of your skin to die and shed. More ::

01/11/2008 - A PENSIONER recovering from cancer surgery was left with horrifically blistered skin after a catastrophic reaction to an antibiotic. More ::

12/27/2007 - Some people never learn, while others are born wise. Luckily, wisdom is often accompanied by patience and compassion. William Weeks has plenty of all three but strength may be his best attribute. The Birdsnest native was diagnosed as a young child with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and given a year to live. More ::

12/20/2007 - Drugs containing carbamazepine will now include on their labeling a recommendation that patients with Asian ancestry get a genetic test prior to treatment. More ::


12/13/2007 - Patients with Asian ancestry should be screened for the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele HLA-B*1502 before receiving carbamazepine therapy, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned healthcare professionals yesterday.
More ::

12/12/2007- Stevens Johnson syndrome or related toxic epidermal necrolysis may be caused by carbamazepine therapy, especially in patients of Asian ancestry with a particular HLA allele, according to an FDA safety alert. More ::

 

 

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