Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Resource

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Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe adverse reaction to over-the-counter and prescription medications. SJS is one of the most debilitating adverse drug reactions recognized.

Again, SJS exists in different forms and may also be referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), erythema multiforme, or erythema multiforme major. All forms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are painful and distressing and can result in death.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome was first recognized in 1922 by pediatricians A.M. Stevens and S.C. Johnson after diagnosing a child with severe ocular and oral involvement to a drug reaction.

Every year 2 million Americans are diagnosed and hospitalized with SJS and TEN. These reactions account for approximately 150,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone.

What Causes Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Almost any medication including over-the-counter drugs, such as Ibuprofen, can cause SJS. Most commonly implicated drugs are anti-convulsants, antibiotics (such as sulfa, penicillin, cephalosporin, phenytoin - Dilantin), cocaine, and anti-inflammatory medications such as Vioxx, Celebrex and Bextra.

Complication of viral or bacterial infection, such as herpes, influenza, AIDS, diphtheria, typhoid and hepatitis, as well as radiation therapy for cancer has also been linked to causing SJS.

Here is a list of drugs that we are pursuing:

• Ansaid
• Antibiotics
• Bextra
• Cataflam
• Celebrex
• Motrin
• Advil
• Clinoril
• Daypro
• Dilantin
• Dolobid
• Feldene
• Indocin
• Lodine
• Mobic
• Nalfon
• Naprosyn
• Oruvail
• Ponstel
• Relafen
• Remicade
• Tolectin
• Toradol
• Vioxx
• Zithromax
• Other Drugs

What are the Symptoms?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome has signs and symptoms similar to those of erythema multiforme, however in SJS, the blistering and symptoms are more severe and extensive often involving the mouth, nose, eyes, vagina, urethra, lower respiratory tract and digestive tract.

Generally, SJS will effect children and young adults. The syptoms for Stevens Johnson Syndrome usually occur suddenly and include:

• Rash, blisters, or red splotches on skin
• Persistent fever
• Blisters in mouth, eyes, ears, nose, genital area
• Swelling of eyelids, red eyes
• Conjunctivitis
• Flu-like symptoms
• Recent history of having taken a prescription or over-the-counter medication

What are the Treatments?

People that have contracted Stevens Johnson Syndrome must stop taking the drug causing the adverse reaction immediately.

Treatment for SJS is in short, good supportive care. Because patients literally burn from the inside out, burn, infectious disease, ophthalmology and dermatology teams are recommended. IV fluids and high calorie formulas are given to promote healing. Antibiotics are given when necessary to prevent secondary infections such as sepsis. Pain medications such as morphine are administered to make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Most SJS patients can be managed in medical ICU or pediatric ICU. Patients with TENS should be treated in a burn unit.

Recovery may take several weeks. When Stevens-Johnson syndrome is diagnosed within 24 to 48 hours of onset, prompt treatment may shorten the duration of the illness. Up to 15 percent of cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome result in death.

Are you interested in Clinical Trials? The U.S. National Institutes of Health may be able to help. Stevens Johnson Syndrome Clinical Trials