Dilantin & Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Attorney

1. What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) another form of SJS are severe adverse reactions to medication. Adverse drug reactions (ADR s) account for approximately 150,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone, making drug reactions the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. SJS is one of the most debilitating ADR s recognized. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a devastating reaction affecting the skin and mucous membranes, causing severe burning, blistering and sloughing of involved tissue. SJS commonly causes blindness and results in death in 10 to 30 percent of the cases. Stevens Johnson Syndrome was first discovered in 1922 by pediatricians A.M. Stevens and S.C. Johnson after diagnosing a child with severe ocular and oral involvement to a drug reaction.

2. What can cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome SJS?
Almost any medication including over-the-counter drugs, such as Ibuprofen (such as Children's Motrin), can cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Most commonly implicated drugs are anti-convulsants, antibiotics (such as sulfa, penicillin and cephalosporin) and anti­inflammatory medications (such as Bextra).

    * Allopurinol
    * Anti-Tuberculosis
          o Rifampin
          o Ethambutol
          o Streptomycin
    * Antibiotics
          o Penicillins
          o Amoxicillin
          o Ampicillin
          o Peperacillin
          o Cepahlosporins
          o Cephaloxin
          o Erythromycin
          o Ciprofloxacin
          o Vancomycin
          o Tetracycline
          o Doxicillin
          o Minacycline
          o Zithromax
    * Barbiturates
          o Anticonvulsants
          o Phenytoin
          o Carbamazepine
          o Dilantin
          o Phenobarbital
          o Valporate
    * Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
          o Bextra (valdecoxib)
          o Daypro (oxaprozin)
          o Arava (leflunomide)
          o Celebrex (Celecoxib)
          o Vioxx (Rofecoxib)
          o Clinoril (Sulindac)
          o Oxicam
          o Naprosyn
          o Enbrel (Etanercept)
          o Feldene (piroxicam)
          o Remicade (Infliximab)
          o Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), acetominophen (Tylenol), and Naproxen
    * Sulfa drugs
          o Sulfamethoxazole
          o Sulfacoxine
          o Sulfasalazine
          o Co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Cotrim, Septra, Bethaprim, Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim, Sulfatrim)
          o Pyrimethamine

In many countries, increasing rates of skin eruptions are attributed to (NSAIDs). It has been reported in the medical literature that some NSAIDs that have a long half-life carry a higher risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS). In rare cases SJS is caused by a bacterial infection. A cause cannot be always be identified for Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The disorder occurs in all age groups but is more common in older people, probably because older people tend to use more drugs. The disorder is also more likely to occur in people with AIDS. Patients with severe SJS die in 3-15% of cases. Males with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) outnumber females by 2:1. Most Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) patients are in the second to fourth decade of their lives. There have been some cases reported in children as young as 3 months.

3. What are the treatment options for Stevens Johnson Syndrome SJS?
Treatment of this disorder is controversial. Some physicians prescribe steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone, especially for severe cases. Most of the studies examining this treatment have not shown much benefit. Steroids typically aren't used unless the patient is quite ill.

4. Is there a way to predict who will get Stevens Johnson Syndrome SJS?
Although Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) afflicts people of all ages, a large amount of its victims are children. More female cases have been reported than male, however it does not discriminate against anyone. The SJS Foundation hears from people around the world who suffer from Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS).

There is no way to predict who will get Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking a new medication. Medication is typically prescribed to prevent the recurrences of herpes. Acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are taken for this purpose.

5. What are the risks of Stevens Johnson Syndrome & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome?
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS) are life-threatening reactions. If left untreated, they can result in death. Complications can include permanent blindness, dry-eye syndrome, photophobia, lung damage, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, permanent loss of nail beds, scarring of the esophagus and other mucous membranes, arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Many patient's pores scar shut, causing them to retain heat. These are just some of the side-effects that have been reported.

6. What are the warning signs of Stevens Johnson Syndrome?
Recognition of the early symptoms of SJS/Stevens Johnson Syndrome and prompt medical attention are the most invaluable tools in minimizing the possible long-term effects Stevens Johnson Syndrome/SJS may have on its victims.