Stevens Johnson Syndrome a Serious Condition

June 16, 2012, 10:30AM. By Heidi Turner

Dallas, TXFor patients who suffer Stevens Johnson syndrome, it can be difficult to trust any medication. After all, they likely developed Stevens Johnson syndrome rash and other symptoms after taking a common medicine, and they probably had no idea they were at risk of an adverse reaction.

Stevens Johnson syndrome (also known as SJS) is a potentially fatal allergic reaction to medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, it often begins with flu-like symptoms, a rash and blisters. But from there, it quickly progress to the patient losing the top layer of skin, which is why patients who develop Stevens Johnson syndrome are often treated in the burn ward in hospitals.

Patients who develop Stevens Johnson syndrome often suffer permanent injury, including vision problems, blindness, photosensitivity, scarring and damage to the internal organs. Some patients may develop the more severe form, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, in which larger portions of the skin are affected.

What makes Stevens Johnson syndrome so scary is that it can occur at any time after using a medicine, even if the same medication was previously tolerated by the patient. Furthermore, it can be caused by common medicines, including ibuprofen, dilantin and Ketek. Because patients or doctors might not link the medication use to the development of Stevens Johnson syndrome, patients could continue taking the medication they are reacting to, creating a more serious situation.

Meanwhile, in addition to the risks associated with Stevens Johnson syndrome itself—which include internal damage and extreme swelling of the mucous membranes—patients are at risk of infection and other complications linked to sloughing of the skin.

Every year, more people are affected by Stevens Johnson syndrome, a condition most of them had probably never heard of before their diagnosis. In fact, many drug warning labels mention only the possibility of an allergic reaction, but do not mention Stevens Johnson syndrome by name, nor do they state how serious the condition is.

Lawsuits have been filed against the makers of various drugs alleging patients developed this life-threatening condition after using the common medications. They also allege that the drug makers knew or should have known about the risks associated with their drugs but did not adequately warn patients.