Medications and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
October 6, 2008
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or SJS (also called erythema multiforme) is a serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. The most severe cases are called toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Often, Stevens-Johnson syndrome begins with several days of flu-like symptoms, followed by inflammation of your mucous membranes and a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters, eventually causing the top layer of your skin to die and shed. Many SJS victims are treated at Burn centers because the disease resembles the aftermath of a burn.
- Tongue swelling
- Facial swelling
- Hives
- Skin pain
- A red or purple skin rash that spreads
- Blisters on your skin and mucous membranes, especially in your mouth, nose and eyes
- Shedding (sloughing) of your skin
If you have Stevens-Johnson syndrome, several days before the rash develops, you may experience:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Burning eyes
Drugs associated with SJS
No cause is ever diagnosed for some Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis victims - between 25 to 50%. However, certain drugs have been linked to this painful and deadly disease:
- Some seizure medications including Tegretol. The FDA released an alert related to these drugs. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/HCP/carbamazepineHCP.htm
- Arthritis/pain relieving drugs like Bextra (valdecoxib) and Celebrex (celecoxib ) have been associated with SJS. The manufacturers of these drugs began warning patients in 2002. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2002/bextra.htm
- Many over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) now contain warnings of the risk of SJS with use. These include Daypro, Motrin and Children’s Motrin, Advil and other drugs, including drugs with ibuprofen as the active pain reliever ingredient, may be at risk of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome.Zyloprim, also known as Allopurinol, a medication for gout and kidney stones. It has been linked to SJS.
- A high-percentage of SJS victims took Antibiotics, including those based on sulfa, phenytoin or penicillin, prior to their diagnosis.
If your doctor links SJS to drug use, stop the drug immediately! Although it is somewhat rare, occurring in about five in one million users, users who continue to take such drugs can develop toxic epidermal necrolysis, and this is fatal in up to one-third of cases.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, contact The S.E. Farris Law Firm for a Free consultation. You may reach us at 314-A-LAWYER or by clicking here.