Motrin SJS: The Sufferings of a Child

Los Angeles, CAThere are those who are just hearing about the link between Motrin and Stevens Johnson Syndrome now. However, the Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) link has been a concern for almost four years, since a child named Sabrina went through SJS hell. And as her court case was finally heard this fall, other children are coming into play. And the sufferings of an SJS Motrin child will break your heart.

Everyone has heard by now of Sabrina Johnson, the little girl from California who developed SJS, a horrid disease that amongst other symptoms is typified by painful blisters and the sloughing off of entire lengths of skin. Sabrina was simply given Children's Motrin, a common over-the-counter medication, in an effort to bring down a fever.

The medication left her with sores, blindness, photosensitivity and a deficient immune system. Her lawsuit case was finally heard this summer, but the initial problem happened in 2005.

One can imagine how many other children have come to be affected since that time—since Children's Motrin evolved from a prescribed drug, to an over-the-counter medication. Trouble was, when Motrin began showing up on pharmacy shelves as an over-the-counter medication, the packaging for the new version of the drug left out something that was there when the drug was only available by prescription:

The risk for developing SJS.

Thus, there was no warning on the packaging when Sabrina was given Children's Motrin by her parents. They're fighting to get the warning label updated now. In the meantime, other parents have their own horror stories.

The son of Natasha Smith-Beard was taken to a hospital in Tampa, Florida suffering from dehydration. Little Damian was initially treated with Motrin. However, it appears he immediately developed blisters, and doctors prescribed 2 different antibiotics and anti-viral medications as they thought the blisters were chicken pox. Damian, who is only 7, is scarred both physically and emotionally. The other children tell him he looks scary. His parents are living a nightmare.

Anissa Craig is another mom whose 8-year-old son Zach was treated with Motrin to bring down a fever of 105. The Motrin brought the fever down, but the child soon developed red blisters and severe light sensitivity. He was admitted to hospital where he lingered in Intensive Care for 6 days, during which time his blood pressure dropped, and he developed an enlarged heart and liver.

Zach was consequently diagnosed with SJS, and while the doctors at the time (2004) told her that Motrin would not, should not have caused the SJS, Anissa did some research and found the Motrin SJS link. She noted that her little boy had not been on any other medication prior to taking Motrin.

"My son is now back to 100% with only far sightedness and a heart murmur," Anissa writes. "We are so lucky that there were no serious conditions. Our hearts go out to the many families that must suffer with their loved ones as they journey through this horrible disease."

While the Motrin website lists a number of adverse warnings under the Children's Motrin pull down, including blisters and other issues, there is no mention of SJS.

Many parents, especially those who have been affected by Motrin, think there should be. Little Sabrina, in California, has suffered through 20 surgeries. No child, even an SJS Motrin child, should have to go through something like that.