Source:  U.S. District Court of Pennsylvania; Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation

The District Courts of Pennsylvania have cleared the way for lawsuits against Children’s Motrin manufacturer Johnson & Johnson for failure to warn of the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.  Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a severe adverse reaction to medication.  It was first discovered in 1922 by pediatricians A.M. Stevens and (perhaps ironically) S.C. Johnson after diagnosing a child with severe ocular and oral involvement to a drug reaction.

While almost any medication can cause SJS,  over-the-counter drugs, such as Ibuprofen and Motrin have been added to the list of medications for which SJS is a known complication.  A large amount of its victims are children.  Recognition of the early symptoms of SJS and prompt medical attention are crucial to minimize the devastating and possible long-term effects of SJS.

Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome 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
  • Recent history of having taken a prescription or over-the-counter medication

SJS is a life-threatening drug reaction. If left untreated, it can result in death. Additional complications can include permanent blindness, dry-eye syndrome, photophobia (light sensitivity), 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. Patient’s literally burn from the inside out, requiring medical treatment often reserved for burn victims.

Drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Yet, less than one percent are reported to the FDA, because there is no mandatory reporting system in effect for postmarketing adverse drug reactions. Although SJS is listed as a “rare disease” it may be more prevalent than previously thought.

For more information, the SJS Foundation was founded to be a resource to SJS victims and their families. Their mission is to provide support services, and compile and distribute valuable information about SJS to the public and medical professionals regarding treatments and therapies that may prove beneficial to SJS sufferers.

Post:  Gayle R. Lewis, Esquire