Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is caused by adverse drug reactions. It is a potentially deadly skin disease.

The drugs that can cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome include NSAIDS (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs), Allopurinol, Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, and sulfa antibiotics. Stevens Johnsons syndrome causes massive pain, suffering and anxiety. The symptoms may not appear for one or two weeks after first taking the drug. Stevens Johnsons Syndrome can also be preceded by a viral infection, such as herpes or the mumps, and its accompanying fever, sore throat, and sluggishness.

Patients unknowingly took these drugs and many have developed the dangerous and potentially deadly Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Typical symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome are:

• Cough productive of a thick purulent sputum
• Headache
• Malaise
• Arthralgia

Stevens-Johnson syndrome affects the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nostril, eyes, and both the anal and genital regions. It may or may not be associated with skin lesions elsewhere on the body. Oropharyngeal (mouth) lesions may be so intolerable as to prevent eating, and there may be recurring oral ulcers. Often, the skin lesions may look like a target-lesion. A painful conjunctivitis may occur in the eye, frequently with a puss discharge, and can lead to corneal scarring and loss of vision. In addition to the mucous membrane lesions, fever and exhaustion are usual. As Stevens Johnson Syndrome progresses the skin literally sloughs off like a full thickness burn called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. In about 10 to 30 percent of cases, Stevens Johnson Syndrome results in blinding the patient or killing them. Blinding occurs as the entire surface of the eye scars over.

Pharmaceutical products are by nature thought to be safe and effective for their intended use. It is assumed that all necessary testing has been done by the pharmaceutical company before the product is released for sale to public. Pharmaceutical products, especially those sold by prescription have to pass a rigorous pre-market approval process by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Once it passes through the approval process, the public assumes that the pharmaceutical product can be safely used for the purpose for which it is intended. If the pharmaceutical product has defects or is contaminated or does not contain warnings about possible adverse effect, it amounts to negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

If you are or one of your loved ones is suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you may be entitled to compensation.