Stevens Johnson Syndrome often begins with a fever, sore throat, rash and headaches but can quickly become much worse. Following initial symptoms, patients can develop skin lesions and blisters, as well as bleeding lips, eyes, mouth and nasal passage. Stevens Johnson Syndrome causes inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the mouth, eyes, throat, genital tract and intestinal tract. Patients often experience ulcers in their mouth.
As Stevens Johnson Syndrome develops, the patient's skin can slough off. Patients with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or its more severe form, known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TENS) are prone to infections, which results in a higher risk of death. Children who have survived Stevens Johnson Syndrome can suffer permanent blindness, photophobia, asthma and lung damage. They may also require repeated surgeries as they recover from their condition.
Lawsuits have been filed against McNeil Laboratories, the maker of Children's Motrin, and its parent company Johnson & Johnson, alleging the companies knew about the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome but failed to adequately warn the public. Meanwhile, advocacy groups have asked the FDA to require a warning label on Children's Motrin about the risk of the potentially fatal adverse reaction to the drug.
Children's Motrin is given to children ages 2 to 11 to relieve minor aches and pains due to common colds, the flu, sore throats, headaches and toothaches. It can also be used to reduce a fever. Ibuprofen is in a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which have been linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
Children as young as 3 months old have been diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome. If your child developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking Children's Motrin, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the maker of Children's Motrin.
Chicago, IL: A woman who sued the maker of Children's Motrin after an allergic reaction to the drug left her nearly blind was sent away empty-handed when the jury found her own negligence to be a contributing factor in the damages she suffered. [ 
Los Angeles, CA: How many children will it take to suffer and even die from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after taking Children's Motrin before the FDA slaps a black box warning on the drug or even better, withdraws it from the market? [ 
Spokane, WA: Brianna's 18-month-old daughter, Mackenzie, was given Children's Motrin in hospital after she had minor surgery. Three days after she was sent home Mackenzie was rushed back to the hospital--she had developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The doctors told Brianna it was the most severe form of SJS Children's Motrin they had ever seen. [ 
