Aloprim Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit

What is Aloprim?

Aloprim is a prescription xanthine oxidase inhibitor medication used to manage patients with gout, leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumor malignancies who are receiving cancer therapy which causes elevations of serum and urinary uric acid levels and who cannot tolerate oral therapy. The drug works by decreasing high uric acid levels in the blood. Aloprim was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1966, and is the injectable brand name for allopurinol.

What’s the Problem?

Studies have found that up to 60% of cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be linked to exposure to medications like Aloprim. To date, over 100 drugs have been identified as potential causative agents of SJS/TEN.

Study Finds Aloprim to Be Most Common Cause of SJS/TEN in Europe and Israel

In 2007, a group of researchers from the EuroSCAR Study Group sought to examine the causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, with a focus on the rate of cases linked to Allopurinol (the active ingredient in Aloprim).

The researchers identified a cohort of 379 patients with severe cutaneous adverse reactions validated as SJS or TEN, and 1505 matched hospitalized control subjects. Allopurinol was the medication most often linked to the conditions, with 66 exposed patients (17.4%) and 28 exposed control subjects (1.9%).

Daily doses of allopurinol equal to or greater than 200 mg were associated with a higher risk (adjusted odds ratio = 36, 95% confidence interval: 17-76) than lower doses (adjusted odds ratio = 3.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-8.4).

The study’s authors concluded that allopurinol is the drug most commonly associated with SJS or TEN. “The incidence of allopurinol-associated SJS or TEN has increased possibly because of increased use and dosages of this drug,” the researchers said.

Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) [2.].

SJS/TEN Symptoms

• Flu-like symptoms
• High temperature
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Joint pain
• Blister
• Sores
• Rash usually starts on the upper body before quickly spreading to the face, arms, legs and other areas of the body, such as the genitals.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Brief History

Stevens-Johnson syndrome was first identified in the medical literature in 1922 with the publication of a case report describing a pair of young boys. The researchers wrote that the patients had extensive cutaneous eruptions with severe mucosal and ocular involvement, and stated that their condition was “unlike anything previously observed.”

Other than these and a few other case reports, most of the current body of knowledge surrounding SJS comes from research conducted overseas, particularly in Europe.

In 1956, a dermatologist named Alan Lyell described a mucocutaneous condition similar to Stevens-Johnson syndrome but more severe, which he referred to as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or Lyell’s syndrome.

Study Links Aloprim to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / TEN

A 2019 study published in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences [1.] found a link between Allopurinol (the active ingredient in Aloprim) and an increased risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

The researchers looked at the case of an 85-year-old Han-Chinese female who developed SJS after taking allopurinol 8 days before she was hospitalized. The patient also had a concomitant acute viral illness, which complicated the clinical scenario causing acute renal failure and hemodynamic compromise, the authors found.

Are SJS and TEN the Same Disease?

Both Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis are characterized by symptoms of epidermal detachment and erosive mucosal lesions. After years of debate, both SJS and TEN are considered to be the same condition, differing only in severity and cutaneous involvement. The percentage of epidermal detachment (skin peeling) is the primary differentiating factor between Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, with SJS presenting with <10% epidermal detachment and TEN presenting with >30%.

Related Articles:

• Allopurinol Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit
• Bextra Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Case
• Children’s Tylenol Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

See all related dangerous drug lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

FAQs:

Can Allopurinol Cause Steven Johnson Syndrome?

Allopurinol can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR) and potentially life-threatening immune-mediated condition. The risk of developing SJS due to allopurinol is particularly heightened among individuals of Asian descent who carry the HLA-B*58:01 gene variant.

What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)? 

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a severe and potentially life-threatening skin reaction characterized by a painful rash that can lead to blistering and the detachment of the upper layer of skin from the lower layers.

Why Are There Lawsuits Involving Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

There are lawsuits involving Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome because the medication has been associated with cases of this severe skin reaction, including its more severe form, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer of Aloprim failed to warn patients and healthcare providers about these serious risks sufficiently. The lawsuits contend that proper warnings could have potentially prevented the development of such life-threatening conditions in patients using the medication.

Who Can File a Lawsuit Related to Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Individuals who have developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after taking Aloprim can file a lawsuit related to Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

What Compensation Can Be Sought in an Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit?

Compensation that can be sought in an Alporim and Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawsuit includes reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, ongoing medical care, pain and suffering, and, in cases of severe injury, punitive damages aimed at holding the manufacturer accountable for negligence.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit Related to Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?

Yes, there is a time limit for filing a lawsuit related to Aloprim and Stevens-Johnson syndrome that varies by state. It’s important to consult with a lawyer experienced in pharmaceutical litigation to determine if you are still within the legal timeframe to pursue a claim.

Get a Free Aloprim Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Pharmaceutical Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Aloprim Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently investigating potential settlements in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) after taking Aloprim, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free case review. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit for legal fees and our defective drug lawyers can help with a free case evaluation.