Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare and life-threatening form of skin disease that is often caused by negative reactions to medications. Sometimes associated with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) – another form of skin disease – symptoms of SJS include red, peeling skin, fever, body aches, rash, and blisters and sores. Those who have SJS may have to be hospitalized in the burn unit and given fluids in order to combat the symptoms. When a person has SJS, their skin cells die off, resulting in the epidermis separating from the dermis. Many medical professionals consider SJS a hypersensitivity complex because it affects both the skin and the mucous membranes.

According to statistics, more than 50 percent of all SJS cases are linked to an allergic reaction to medications, commonly sulfa antibiotics. Unfortunately, many manufacturers and pharmaceutical representatives are aware of the medications that are linked to SJS, but still push their product, resulting in serious repercussions for patients.

What Drugs Have Been Linked to SJS?

SJS is extremely rare and it is nearly impossible to predict whether or not someone will have a reaction or any symptoms associated with SJS. In fact, doctors often have a difficult time identifying the exact cause when someone comes in with symptoms commonly linked to SJS. There are many different drugs that can trigger SJS symptoms, including:

• Sulfa antibiotics
• Other antibiotics
• Certain over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) drugs
• Anticonvulsant drugs
• Barbiturates
• Chlormezanone

These specific medications are commonly associated with causing SJS:

• Allopurinol
• Bextra
• Motrin
• Ibuprofen
• Celebrex
• Daypro
• Dilantin
• Aspirin
• Sepra
• Bactrim

It is important to keep in mind that the above mentioned drugs do not lead to SJS symptoms in ALL people. For more information on what drugs are linked to SJS and what your rights may be, please contact a Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyer today.

Facts About SJS

Let’s now take a look at a few important facts about SJS from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• There are approximately 300 new cases of SJS every year in the U.S.
• There are about 100,000 SJS deaths in the U.S. every year
• Caucasian men between the ages of 20 and 50 years old are the most at risk
• SJS cases have been reported in patients as young as 3 months
• The majority of SJS cases occur during the winter and early spring
• In the event more than 30 percent of the body is affected by SJS, the condition is referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS)
• Patients dealing with TENS have 25 to 35 percent more of a chance of dying
• The first symptoms of SJS are an upper respiratory tract infection, which usually displays as a fever and sore throat
• 85 percent of all SJS patients experience fever

SJS is extremely serious and symptoms often develop quickly, which is why it is imperative that you seek medical attention right away. In the event it can be proven that you developed SJS because of a certain medication, you may be able to seek compensation for damages. To learn more about filing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a drug that has been linked to SJS, please contact us today to speak to one of our Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyers.