SJS Risk Increases with Increase in Medications

San Francisco, CAThe seriousness of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is fostering research into the debilitating and sometimes fatal condition, even though it is rare. Part of the reason why Stevens Johnson Syndrome skin disease is not falling through the cracks, is due to what often triggers it: medication. Given the growing list of medications and various other drugs that Americans routinely take for everything from everyday aches and pains, to more serious conditions—the incidents of SJS are bound to increase.

The most recent research appeared in Dermatologic Therapy, a medical journal dedicated to the derma community. According to the October 23rd issue of Drug Week, the study concluded, "Clinical risk management concedes that risk is inherent to all health-care processes. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare but potentially life-threatening reactions to medications."

Information on SJS Drug Interactions is Increasing

The researchers noted that diagnostic criteria for Stevens Johnson Syndrome has changed, "and more data exist on drugs with an increased risk. Although there is no standardized treatment for all patients with SJS/TEN, options that have been used include cyclosporine, corticosteroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin. Standards of care are usually defined locally, but new treatments, such as amniotic membrane support for ocular damage, may need to be considered."

With regard to increased data on drug interactions, take this example published to the eHealthMe website with regard to a study of females and males at all ages when co-using Prilosec, Acyclovir and Zantac. Of 25 reports studied, Stevens Johnson Syndrome was the 3rd, of 10 adverse side effects listed with an 11 count out of 25.

And while everyday medications have been known to trigger SJS, other drugs used to treat specific conditions have also been singled out. Blogger Phylis Feiner Johnson, a former epileptic, posted on October 17th that Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a risk for any person taking Dilantin or Lamictal.

A comment by 66-year-old Ruth Brown to Feiner Johnson's blog says it all:

"When I was 6 years old, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I was put on Dilantin. I started out with a rash. I got worse. The rash then broke open and I started losing my skin. My mother took me right away to Children's Hospital at San Francisco, CA. This was in 1949. They had no treatment for it. They put cold compresses on me to treat me. They thought I was going to die. Somehow, I survived it.

"It can go into remission and come back later in life. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with it again."

It's important for patients to know everything about every medication they are taking, to minimize risk.