Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
Attorneys at Bisnar & Chase consistently represent clients who have suffered serious injuries from pharmaceuticals. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare disorder involving lesions of the mucous membranes along with small blisters on reddish or purplish, flat, thickened patches of skin. SJS is triggered by an allergic reaction to specific drugs including antibiotics, tetracycline, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. In some cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and anticonvulsants, such as Tegretol and phenobarbital have also been implicated. Over-the-counter medications including the pain relievers Children’s Motrin and Bextra may act as triggers as well.
At Bisnar & Chase, lawyers have the knowledge and experience to investigate the medical records surrounding your treatment and drug history. Doctors and drug manufacturers have a duty to warn of users of unreasonably dangerous side-effects that result from drug interactions.
SJS is known to cause deaths specifically among children and is more prevalent in women than men. SJS causes a blistering of mucous membranes, typically in the mouth, eyes, and throat, and patchy areas of rash. Common symptoms include:
- Rash, blisters, or red splotches on skin
- Persistent fever
- Blisters in mouth, eyes, ears, nose, genital area
- Swelling of eyelids, red eyes
- Conjunctivitis
- Flu-like symptoms
Symptoms are not the same for everyone. Additionally, lesions are not always seen in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. It is very important that if you are a regular user of Bextra or other drugs that could cause this potentially fatal disease that you visit your health care provider immediately to help minimize the long-term effects if you are diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
The manufacturers of drugs that carry the risk of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome did not include any warnings on their labels until the FDA recently required Bextra to include such warnings. As a result, many regular users have been unknowingly exposed to a potentially fatal disease. Do you use Bextra or other over-the-counter pain relievers? Have you been diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome? Your illness could be linked to a drug reaction. If you have suffered or are currently receiving treatment of Stevens-Johnsons Syndrome, contact the attorneys of Bisnar & Chase who are experienced in pharmaceutical defect litigation.
