SJS and TEN Litigation
Waters, Kraus & Paul seeks justice for drug-induced illnesses.
Even prescription drugs that most patients believe to be safe can cause severe illness and death. Among the most serious of these drug-related illnesses are Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These life-threatening skin diseases are most often associated with certain drugs, including some antibiotics, seizure medicines, and common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
SJS and TEN symptoms
SJS and TEN are two forms of a life-threatening skin disease that cause rashes, skin peeling and sores on the mucous membranes.
Both SJS and TEN usually begin with fever, headache, cough and body aches. A red rash subsequently breaks out on the face and trunk. It often spreads to the rest of the body in an irregular pattern. The areas of rash enlarge and spread. Many form blisters at their center.
In SJS, blisters of mucous membranes usually develop in the mouth, throat, eyes, anus and genitals. There are also patchy areas of rash. Sometimes the mucous membranes of the digestive and respiratory tracts are involved, resulting in diarrhea and difficulty in breathing.
Like SJS, TEN also involves blistering of mucous membranes. In addition, the entire top layer of the skin peels off (sloughs) in sheets from large areas of the body. In many people, 30 percent or more of the body’s surface peels away. The affected areas are painful, and the person feels very ill with chills and fever. In some people, the hair and nails fall out. The skin loss in TEN is similar to a severe burn and is equally life threatening. Huge amounts of fluids and salts can seep from the large, raw, damaged areas. A person who has this disorder is very susceptible to severe infection at the sites of damaged, exposed tissues.
Both SJS and TEN cause severe organ damage, permanent disfigurement and death.
Medications linked to SJS and TEN
Nearly all cases of SJS and TEN are caused by a drug-related reaction. The types of medications linked to SJS and TEN include antibiotics, seizure medications, and NSAIDs. The following list contains just some of the drugs linked to these illnesses.
- Advil (ibuprofen)
- Bayer (sodium salicylate)
- Bextra (valdecoxib) (prior to 2004)
- Celebrex (celecoxib)
- Children’s Advil (ibuprofen)
- Children’s Motrin (ibuprofen)
- Excedrin (ibuprofen)
- Motrin (ibuprofen)
- Prilosec (omeprazole)
- Topamax (topiramate)
How Waters, Kraus & Paul can help families affected by SJS and TEN
With a national presence and a wealth of experience working with families facing the devastating effects of these life-threatening illnesses, Waters, Kraus & Paul provides aggressive representation throughout the entire course of litigation. To learn more about legal representation at Waters, Kraus & Paul, or to have one of our attorneys review your potential SJS or TEN case, email us or call 800.226.9880.