If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), it is important you understand your rights. In many cases, SJS is either misdiagnosed or missed altogether. Typically, SJS develops as a reaction to a medication that was recently started or taken. The symptoms may vary, but generally, people develop a painful, red or purplish rash, blisters, and fever. As the disease progresses, the skin tissue dies and peels off, resulting in burn-like areas throughout the body. If left untreated, SJS may turn into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which is far more serious and deadly. In patients with TEN, over 30 percent of the skin is infected and the disease is often deadly.

The primary cause of SJS is an allergic reaction to a dangerous drug. Some of the most common drugs linked to cases of SJS and TEN include:

• Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and ampicillin
• Sulfa drugs
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen
• Acetaminophen, like Tylenol
• Tamiflu and Lamictal
• Anti-seizure medications
• Sedatives such as phenobarbital
• Septra

Please keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive. These are just a handful of the drugs known to cause SJS that patients should be aware of. SJS develops when the mucous membranes in the skin become compromised, following an allergic reaction to one of the above drugs. The first signs of SJS are typically red patches forming across the body. Over time, these patches can grow larger and become irritated and itchy. Because the skin is the body’s largest organ, when it becomes compromised, it can lead to serious illness, infection, and death.

If you start to notice the signs or symptoms of SJS, it is imperative you seek medical attention right away. The next step should be to contact an experienced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawsuit attorney. In many cases, SJS could have been avoided if the patient was properly warned about the side effects of taking a specific medication. Unfortunately, SJS symptoms are often confused with those of the flu, leading to misdiagnosis and hindering the patient’s ability to fully recover. Some of the complications of SJS/TEN include:

• Blindness
• Pneumonia
• Hepatitis
• Kidney failure
• Sepsis
• Hematuria
• Death

There are an estimated 200+ medications in the United States that can cause SJS. Due to this high number, it is believed that thousands of men and women are diagnosed every year with the dangerous skin disease. If you find yourself affected by this condition, contact a Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your rights. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you may be able to file a lawsuit against your doctor or the manufacturer of the drug. These cases can be quite complicated, which is why you need an experienced McKinney Stevens-Johnson Syndrome lawyer on your side. Please give Wormington & Bollinger a call today to schedule a free consultation.