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Monsour Law Firm
404 N Green St
Longview, Texas 75601
PO Box 4209
Longview, TX 75606
903-758-5757
1-800-815-2911
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Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS), another form of SJS, are life threatening skin conditions most often caused by severe adverse reactions to medication. Symptoms include rash, skin peeling, and sores on the mucous membranes. Almost any medication, including over-the-counter drugs such as Ibuprofen, can cause SJS. Most commonly implicated drugs are anti-convulsants, antibiotics (such as sulfa, penicillin and cephalosporin) and anti-inflammatory medications. Researchers have recently found that the popular drug Bextra may be a primary cause of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
In Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a person has blistering of mucous membranes, typically in the mouth, eyes, and vagina, and patchy areas of rash. In Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, there is a similar blistering of mucous membranes. However, in addition to blistering, the entire epidermis peels off in sheets from large areas of the body. Both disorders can be life threatening.
If you or a family member are experiencing any of the above mentioned side effects, you should seek medical attention immediately. Legally speaking, you need a firm that has the requisite experience and financial clout to represent you in an action against a drug manufacturer. Please know that our law firm represents victims of negligent drug manufacturers. We have been successful in recovering millions for our clients.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome typically affects the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, eyes, nostrils, and both the anal and genital regions. It may or may not be associated with skin lesions elsewhere on the body. Oropharyngeal (mouth) lesions may be so intolerable as to prevent eating, and there may be recurring oral ulcers. Often, the skin lesions may look like a target-lesion or as bullae (bubble-like in shape).
A painful conjunctivitis may also occur in the eyes, frequently with a pus discharge, and can lead to corneal scarring and in some cases a loss of vision. In addition to the mucous membrane lesions, fever and exhaustion are common symptoms for those suffering from Stevens Johnson syndrome.
Approximately one-third of patients have pulmonary involvement with cough and patchy infiltrates (material that has permeated into the tissues) on chest x-ray. In fatal cases, renal failure and even pneumonia can occur. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you should contact a medical professional immediately.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an immune-complex–mediated hypersensitivity disorder that may be caused by various drugs, viral infections, or malignancies. Often, the drugs causing the onset of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, such as Bextra, did not have warnings placed on their labels until recently.
The most common drugs associated with SJS or TENS include:
In many countries, increasing rates of skin eruptions are attributed to (NSAIDs). It has been reported in medical literature that some NSAIDs that have a long half-life carry a higher risk of SJS or TEN. In rare cases SJS is caused by a bacterial infection. A cause cannot always be identified for SJS.
The disorder occurs in all age groups, however, a large number of victims are children. Some cases have been reported in children as young as 3 months of age. More female cases have been reported than male, however it does not discriminate against anyone. The disorder is also more likely to occur in people with AIDS. Patients with severe SJS die in 3-15% of cases.
If you developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, or other skin conditions while taking any medications, contact us for a FREE & CONFIDENTIAL legal case evaluation. You may have a case against the manufacturers.
Dilantin is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anti-convulsant. It works by slowing down impulses in the brain that cause seizures. Dilantin is used to control seizures.
Dilantin side effects can include:
Relatively few firms nationwide are handling Stevens Johnson Syndrome cases. You deserve a lawyer and law firm that has the knowledge, skill, experience, and economic power to go after large pharmaceutical companies. Our firm is one of the few in the country to actually try cases against the drug industry. We strive to maintain a small-firm feel for all of our clients and limit the number of cases we take to allow each of our clients to get individual attention. We will take the opportunity to travel to your home and get to know you and your family personally. Remember that we handle cases nationwide.