Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is typically caused by a severe allergic reaction to a medication.SJS usually begins with a Stevens Johnson Syndrome rash that can lead to blistering, severe peeling and open sores. Other Stevens Johnson syndrome symptoms include infections caused by the loss of skin or scarring of major organ systems that can be life-threatening. Often an SJS rash is not diagnosed in time, and the condition becomes life-threatening.

[CHILDREN'S MOTRIN] [KETEK] [ADVIL / IBUPROFEN] [BACTRIM] [DAYPRO] [BEXTRA] [DILANTIN]

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Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), also known as Erythema Multiforme, Leyll's Syndrome, and in its later stages, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that causes large areas of the skin to become detached and lesions to develop in the mucous membranes.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are aware of the risks associated with their drugs, yet proper warnings are for the most part inadequate. Many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as Ibuprofen—found in Advil and Motrin—have been linked to SJS. Without adequate warnings, patients who develop SJS may continue to take the SJS-causing drug, which could lead to TEN.

SJS Medications

SJS is caused by almost any medication, including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, sedatives and painkillers. The leading causes of this disease are the following medications:

Ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil, Motrin, Children's Motrin and Nuprin)
Bactrim, a sulfa drug
Ketek, an antibiotic
Dilantin, an anticonvulsant
COX-2 inhibitors Bextra (Valdecoxib),Vioxx (Rofecoxib), Celebrex (Celecoxib), and Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's) including Daypro (Oxaprozein)
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs such as Feldene (Piroxicam), Naproxen (Aleve)
Leavquin (levofloxacin) , belonging to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones, the antibiotic is used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus, skin, and urinary tract infections.

In May, 2006 the FDA updated several prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications with a warning label as a result of increased risk of developing Steven's Johnson Syndrome. The following drugs had either a new warning regarding SJS 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)

In December 2007 an FDA Alert added Carbamazepine (marketed as Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, and generics) to be at risk for SJS, particularly affecting Asian and South Asian patients.

In June 2011 the New England Journal of Medicine (Health Policy and Reform) reported that the FDA published a regulation (September 2010, implemented as of March 2011) establishing a new safety-reporting paradigm for drugs being studied under investigational new drug applications (INDs). It is the first step in a series the FDA is taking “to enhance the protection of human subjects and improve trial conduct by streamlining the regulatory procedures for clinical trials”. Regarding SJS, the researchers say that, “Not only is SJS unexpected and serious, it is known to be strongly associated with drug exposure. A report of SJS would clearly be informative about the safety of the investigational drug and could have important effects on patient monitoring and care”.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Symptoms

Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms can begin with a fever, sore throat and headache and over a few days (or sometimes even minutes) can turn into skin lesions and blisters and respiratory infection. It generally affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat and swelling of the eyelids, and can progress to blindness and internal organ damage.

As Stevens Johnson Syndrome evolves, the skin literally sloughs off in sheets. Patients are typically treated in a hospital's burn unit. If the skin lesions become infected, or the patient develops lesions in the lungs, it can result in death (which results in about 5-15 percent of cases).

In approximately 5 to 15% of the severe occurrences of SJS, the patient may die as a result. The patient’s skin literally burns from the inside out and often requires treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) or the burn unit of a hospital.

Recognizing early symptoms of SJS and providing prompt medical attention are the most valuable tools to minimize long-term damage.

Who Is at Risk for Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Allergic drug reactions cause more than 100,000 deaths among patients in the United States each year, and adverse drug reactions are the leading causes of death in the US. Every day, more than 4,000 patients—approximately 1.5 million per year-- are admitted to hospitals with serious adverse drug reactions. Many of these admissions can be prevented. RN Patient Advocates reports that 18.6 percent of all drugs prescribed prior to hospitalization were contraindicated (i.e., the drug in question should not have been taken).

Those patients most likely to develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome are extremely allergic to antibiotics or painkillers like Ibuprofen. Most cases occur in adults between the ages of 20-40 years, but SJS has been diagnosed in children as young as three months old. Anyone who takes prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs runs the risk of developing allergic reactions and developing serious health problems like Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits

Stevens Johnson Syndrome attorneys are currently reviewing and working on SJS cases for "failure to warn." Many drugs, including generic drugs associated with SJS have inadequate warnings on the product labels. If a drug has a black-box warning, SJS attorneys may consider a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Register your Stevens Johnson Syndrome Case

If you or a loved one has suffered from Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a Stevens Johnson Syndrome class action or lawsuit. Please click the link below to submit your Stevens Johnson Syndrome complaint to an attorney who will review your claim at no cost.

Please click here for a free evaluation of your Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) case

Last updated on Jan-17-12

STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME (SJS) ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Difficult to Diagnose

Santa Fe, NM: For patients dealing with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, getting an appropriate diagnosis can be difficult. Doctors may misread the symptoms and diagnose a less serious condition. Furthermore, if patients are not aware that SJS is one of the reported Dilantin side effects, or a possible side effect from another medication, they may not think to tell doctors that their Dilantin could be linked to their symptoms. The problem is, however, that quick diagnosis is vital to ensuring the patient survives her ordeal [READ MORE]

Stevens Johnson Syndrome No Respecter of Age

Dallas, TX: The drug may be different, but the outcome can be the same. We are referencing the horrific consequences of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a condition often triggered through an adverse reaction to a common drug. The drugs vary, but Advil Ibuprofen is one such drug that carries—in some, but not all formulations—warnings against the potential for SJS.

P [READ MORE]

SJS Side Effects Terrible for Children

Lincoln, NE: There is never a good time for a child to suffer the horrifying effects of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, but being hospitalized with burns all over the body at Christmas seems particularly terrible. Stevens Johnson Syndrome, also known as SJS, can be caused by a variety of medications, although it has been linked to ibuprofen. This rare but serious ibuprofen side effect can be fatal and can cause permanent injury [READ MORE]