Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Linked to the use of Common Medications

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare, life threatening disorder caused by a severe allergic reaction to medication. This allergic reaction often begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters, eventually causing the top layer of skin to die (necrosis) and shed. Patients are typically treated in a hospital's burn unit. If the skin lesions become infected, or the patient develops lesions in the lungs, death may result.

Allergic drug reactions are a major cause of death in the United States, causing more than 100,000 deaths among patients each year.

SJS is characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, eyes, genital tract and intestinal tract.

Patients who have been diagnosed with SJS have reported taking over-the-counter drugs, prescription pain relievers and antibiotics such as Children’s Advil, Children’s Motrin, Depakote, Dilantin, Levaquin and Tegretol.

PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DISCONTINUING USE OF ANY MEDICATION.

Other symptoms and complications of Stevens Johnson Syndrome include:

Most cases occur in adults between the ages of 20-40 years but SJS has been diagnosed in children as young as 3 months old.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) is a more severe form of SJS where an increased percentage of the skin is affected, usually 30% or more. With such a high percentage of the body’s skin cells undergoing necrosis (cell death), resulting in the loss of skin over a significant portion of the body the patient is left vulnerable to infection. Infection may lead to sepsis which is the leading cause of death for those with TENS.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with SJS or TENS, or been hospitalized for a severe rash, contact the Law Office of d’Oliveira & Associates for a free, confidential consultation.

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