Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Injury Lawyers
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare, extremely serious disorder caused by a body's allergic reaction to drugs or medicines. It begins with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish skin rash that spreads and blisters. Eventually, the skin tissue dies and peels off the patient, leading to seeping, burn-like areas on the body.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a less severe variant of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). In TEN, over 30% of the skin is infected. A SJS/TEN patient is vulnerable to infection and those infections are frequently fatal. About 5% of patients with SJS and up to 30% of patients with TEN die from complications of the disease.
The primary cause of SJS/TEN is an allergic reaction to certain dangerous drugs. Although this is not an exhaustive list, the drugs most commonly associated with SJS/TEN include:
- Antibiotics like Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin
- Sulfa drugs like sulfa and combination drugs including sulfa like Bactrim
- Tetracycline and Accutane used to treat acne
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, also marketed as Advil and Motrin
- Tegretol, Dilantin and Depakote, used to treat seizures
- Phenobarbital and other sedatives
- Allopurinal and other drugs used to treat gout
- Cox-2 inhibitors (such as Bextra, Celebrex)
- Lenalidomide (Revlimid)
- Herbal supplements with ginseng
- Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
- Tamiflu and Lamictal, used to treat viral and fungal illnesses
Although SJS/TEN can strike anybody, people who have compromised or immature immune systems (such as HIV or lupus patients, the elderly and children) are most at risk. The symptoms of SJS/TEN can be nothing short of horrifying. Complications include:
- Blindness
- Pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the muscles in the heart)
- Hepatitis
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
- Kidney failure
- Sepsis (blood infection)
- Death
Please consult your physician before discontinuing any medication.
Contact the Injury Lawyers of Brown & Crouppen
The lawyers at Brown & Crouppen are committed to the needs of their clients and their families. That is why we stay on top of emerging information in dangerous drugs. We provide tough, aggressive representation for families who have suffered from injuries caused by Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Call Brown & Crouppen toll free at 888-842-7944 for your free legal consultation, or save time with our online contact form.
