Adverse Drug Side Effects Cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)

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Did you know that certain drugs such as penicillin, ibuprofen, and carbamazepine can cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome? Other causes may include cocaine usage, ginseng from herbal supplements, and infections like herpes simplex, flu, mumps, and Epstein-Barr virus.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening condition affecting the skin in which cell death causes the outer layer of skin to separate from the actual skin. Adverse reactions to certain prescription drugs such as sulfa drugs, antibiotics, sedatives, NSAIDs, and anti-convulsants are the primary cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome also causes scar tissue to form inside the eyelids causing impaired vision as well as other eye problems.

Do you have a SJS lawsuit from drug side effects?

SJS is named for Dr. Albert Mason Stevens and Dr. Frank Chambliss Johnson, American pediatricians who jointly published a description of the disorder in 1922.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is in the same disorder family as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and is almost always caused by a reaction to a pharmaceutical drug. The cox-2 inhibitor Bextra has already been linked to both disorders.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can affect any age group but occurs most frequently in older people - perhaps - because older people tend to use more of the prescription drugs and are collectively more at risk. People with AIDS are also at an increased risk of contracting Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Symptoms for both Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis can start innocently enough with a cough, aching, headaches, and fever followed by a red rash across the face and the trunk of the body, which can continue to spread to other parts of the body. The rash can form into blisters, and these blisters can form in the eyes, mouth, and vagina. Mucous membranes become inflamed. With Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, layers of the skin easily come apart and often the skin peels away in sheets and become cold and feverish.

With Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, the most common cause of death is infection through exposed areas. This disease can leave the skin looking burned; areas where skin has flayed away can seep copiously and quickly become infected.

If your loved one has been ravaged by the painful and deadly symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) it's wise to talk to a lawyer about a drug injury lawsuit.

It won't bring back your loved one or erase their pain and suffering but it will make the drug maker accountable and provide some financial restitution. Talk to a drug injury lawyer to find out if you are eligible for a Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawsuit.