Stevens Johnson Syndrome Linked to Bactrim

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) is an antibiotic prescribed to adults and children to treat ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and other bacterial infections. However, bactrim side effects are numerous. —The most common and potentially lethal side effect is Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

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Bactrim Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Bactrim was approved by the FDA in 1973. Since that time, Bactrim and the combined antibiotic treatment of Bactrim and Septra (known as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) have caused severe allergic reactions in countless patients, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TENS).

Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare inflammatory skin disorder that can be life-threatening. The disease causes lesions in the mouth, eyes and on the body. Stevens Johnson Syndrome can occur at any age although the majority of cases range between the ages of 20 and 40. One-fifth of the cases occur in people under the age of 20.

Symptoms of SJS include: fever, sore throat, and headache, difficulty breathing, inflammation/swelling of throat, lips, tongue and face, hives, skin lesions, blisters, and unusual bleeding.

In some cases, permanent skin damage and scarring occur. Lesions on internal organs can cause serious inflammation of the lungs, heart and kidneys. Up to 27 percent of those affected by Stevens Johnson Syndrome or related illnesses incur long term eye damage or vision loss. Upwards of 15 percent of patients with this syndrome die from the condition.

SJS can become deadly and requires medical attention as soon as allergic reactions are noticeable.

Those with kidney or liver disease are not advised to take Bactrim; the drug is not approved for infants under 2 months old and it is classified by the FDA as category C, since the effects of Bactrim on a fetus are unknown.

Bactrim SJS Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered from Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking Bactrim, please click the link below to send your complaint to a lawyer to evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.

Please click here for a free evaluation of your Bactrim SJS claim

Last updated on Nov-7-16

BACTRIM SJS LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Woman's Skin Melts Off From Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

May 13, 2017

Snellville, GA: A Georgia woman claims that her skin melted off when she contracted Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) after being given an incorrect dosage of an antidepressant by a pharmacist. READ MORE

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Victim Has Permanent Scarring in her Mouth

April 17, 2017

Tampa, FL: Donna Rushing is a resident from Tampa who developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome from a medication she had been taking. While she was spared hospitalization and more serious SJS side effects that can often include massive loss of skin and life-threatening infections, her battle with Stevens Johnson skin disease was enough to cause her to lose weight, affected her eating and has left her with permanent scarring in her mouth. READ MORE

Texas Woman Suffers Stevens Johnson Syndrome from Bipolar Medication

March 19, 2017

Houston, TX: The majority of patients and plaintiffs touched by the scourge of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) can usually track, or at the very least suspect with a reasonable hypothesis that Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms materialize through the use of pharmaceutical drugs and medications including standard, everyday products such as over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. READ MORE

MORE BACTRIM SJS LEGAL NEWS

READER COMMENTS

Posted by
Lisa Dyess
on August 28, 2021

My 3 weeks old son was put on Bactrim every day for 2 and half years and had blisters on body. Now he has stomach problem, Head aches, ADHD, behavior problems and now seizures! I think it's from Bactrim oh and he's being tested now for Autism

Posted by
Ken King
on April 27, 2020

I had a nodule on my lung for years. There was no change. Then took Bactrim for a lung infection for about four months. The nodule suddenly grew from 1/4" to 2"
Nothing was different during that time, except taking Bactrim. They did a Biopsy on my lung. Now I have Cancer there. The dose was 800mg./160mg. Twice per day. Dr. Said stop taking after Biopsy came back. I think the Bactrim caused my Cancer.

Posted by
Theresa
on August 27, 2018

I started this medication for a infected cyst. I had a headache and loss of appetite at the beginning, then the itching & rash began 3 days later. Then severe pains in all my joints, extreme pain and I ended up in the ER. Also had suicidal thoughts, I wanted to die the pain was so awful. It's been 4 days since being off this medication and still having constant pain. This medication is awful!!!

Posted by
Leonor sanchez
on May 7, 2017

this medication does it also cause birth defect, when is given to you. during the first trimester . Sulfamenthoxazole or trimethoprim ( Bactrim or septra). is this true.

Posted by
Stacy
on January 21, 2017

I took Bactrum to clear up a uti I have experience my lips swelling blister burns on my arm and my check and my chin pulling nausea vomiting and Migrane headache burning skin can someone please help me I have picturs of the burns that's on my arm from this medication

Posted by
Joe in virginia
on March 28, 2016

Was given Bactrim for infection in my thumb. Within hours noticed my vision was changing. Normally excellent distance vision started requiring the use of my prescription reading glasses. Continued the antibiotic; when the Meds were finished vision returned to normal in about 2 days

Posted by
Kayla
on October 30, 2015

While taking Bactrim my body would get really cold and then tense up. It would feel like my body was seizing and I could not control it. Now, this event happens quite often and then I go into fits of pain which continues in my joints and muscles. I tend to have recurrences of muscle spasms.

Posted by
amber meltzer
on October 25, 2015

I have these raised bumps under my breast and both arms and reashy and itchy and I came back from mexico with 23 days of sh*ts and they are trying to figure out what bug I have and Bactrim is only thing keeping me from going a lot and been on two days then rash broke out with bumps. Dr told be I need to stay on it and go get over counter benadrly and cortisone cream to help cause im sick. Have no more systoms then what I am telling you. What do you think I should do. I have no sweeling of face or tongue and no breathing problems at this time and I will be on it another week.

Posted by
Anonymous
on March 8, 2015

Yesterday, I almost died from 1 dose of Bactrim. I craweled to the phone 911. I couldn't breath. sweating a lot fast heart, numb lips.

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Posted by
Virginia
on August 7, 2010

I suffered blistering of the body and the mouth. I also lost feeling in my feet and was unable to walk. My vision became blurry and i was hospitalized for ten (10) days.

Posted by
North Carolina
on October 10, 2009

I feel like I must have long term effects from my SJS. My eye twitches quite frequently. I get overwhelmed more now because I feel like I can't keep my mind straight and as a result I stress out more.

Posted by
Oregon
on July 16, 2009

I was in the burn unit for a month, and have suffered with eye problems ever since. I have had nine eye surgeries, and I have to see an opthamoligist every month. I've had cateracts and all sorts of eye problems, and will have for the rest of my life.

Posted by
Alabama
on June 9, 2008

My father in law was suffering from leukemia and was prescribed Bactrim; on the 5th day of medication he died from complications of the drug.

Posted by
North Carolina
on July 10, 2007

On 13 June 2007, my husband was prescribed Bactrim for a swollen prostrate. At this appointment, he was given a PSA test. The PSA test came back negative/clear a day or so later but the doctor failed to inform us of the results. My husband took the Bactrim for 19 days and finally went back to the doctor because he was feeling so bad. Another doctor read his PSA test and took him immediatley off the Bactrim because he should have never been taking it because the PSA test was clear. On 5 July, we were in the Emergency Room. On 7 July, we were in the Emergeny Room. On 9 July, he was hospitalized with a severe reaction to Bactrim and has all the symptoms of SJS. He is still in the hospital.

Posted by
Florida
on June 10, 2007

Every so often (3 times now) over the course of past year eye eruptions and sore throat, facial swelling with joint pain. These symptoms are not as severe as some I have read of, but still I am unwilling to go in public with a swollen face and the joint pain makes it not possible for me to work at my computer. I am self-employed so my business suffers. My own family spoke to me of the possibility my HUSBAND had hit me in the face. How humiliated I was.
I spoke with Winn-Dixie pharmacy public relations several times, faxed to their corporate HQ here in Jax, Fl requesting they amend their drug information sheet to include these symptoms. They should immediately discontinue this med, but not one change have they made. I am so disappointed. This information should be in all drug information sheets.