Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Adverse reactions, or side
effects, of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and health supplements, can include
among the worst imaginable and painful condition: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). This devastating
condition can lead to blindness, skin peeling away from the body (sloughing), and
death.
For too many, the warnings
concerning Stevens Johnson Syndrome SJS have come too late. Every year, thousands of
consumers in the U.S. die from adverse drug reactions and harmful side effects caused by dangerous
and defective prescription medications.
While the FDA has the authority
power to regulate the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, pharmaceutical companies -- drug
manufacturers – perform their own testing of their own drugs and then send the results to the FDA
for review and approval. The fox guarding the hen house?
The drug companies have pushed for
and obtained FDA approval of many drugs without adequate clinical research and
testing.
We also know that many drug
manufacturers aggressively market drugs for specific uses not approved by the FDA and are
concealing known harmful side effects from the FDA, physicians and patients. Unfortunately, less
than 1% of all drug reactions are reported to the FDA.
What is Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome?
Some drug therapies can result in
severe life-threatening skin disorders, including SJS (SJS), erythema multiforme and toxic
epidermal necrolysis (TEN).
Both SJS and TEN are deadly
drug-induced reactions affecting the skin and mucous membranes, causing severe burning, blistering
and sloughing of skin and tissues.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome and TEN may be caused by
many drugs, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and health supplements (which
are not categorized as drugs).
If left untreated, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome can
cause permanent blindness and death. Complicationscan also include lung damage, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and permanent scarring of the esophagus and other mucous
membranes.
SJS
Symptoms
What are the common symptoms and
why is it critical to obtain immediate medical care?
Many physicians and hospitals are not familiar with the symptoms of
SJS, which can result in devastating consequences due to delayed treatment. The common
symptoms may include:
- A painful red area, rash or blisters
on skin
- Blisters in the mouth, eyes, ears,
nose and genital areas
- Fever and flu-like
symptoms
- Raw areas of the skin resulting in
increased infection
- Sloughing of skin
- Burn injury
- Marbalization of the
skin
-
- the skin becomes veined and
raw and discolored and may resemble marble tile.
In the event of the occurrence of
these symptoms, immediate and extensive burn, ophthalmology and dermatology care is
necessary. Infectious disease specialists may also be consulted.
Patients should be taken to
intensive care units or burn units. If these symptoms occur, contact a physician or 911
immediately.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome
Injury
Severe Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is
extremely dangerous and may cause death. It can lead to vision damage, skin damage, organ
damage, and other life-threatening and painful injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered from the effects of either
prescription or over the counter drugs and has been diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS),
then contact our dedicated and experienced personal injury attorneys
immediately for a prompt and confidential evaluation.
There are strict time limits to
bring a claim for personal injury and wrongful death in Florida, so do not delay in taking
action now.
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