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Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be devastating

The FDA requested that Pfizer Inc. remove its pain reliever Bextra from the market in part because its link to severe skin rashes including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

SJS is a skin disease that is most commonly caused by a reaction to medication. Prescription drugs like Bextra tend to cause a stronger reaction because they are stronger drugs (which is why a prescription is necessary to get them). In some cases, SJS can be caused by a bacterial infection. Even rarer still, the condition can be the result of no known cause. There are other forms of the disease including Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

These diseases usually involve a painful rash that can develop into blisters, especially around the mouth and eyes. In extreme cases, the skin can actually peel away quite easily in thin sheets, and hair and nails fall out. SJS is potentially deadly since the risk of infection increases as the skin deteriorates. Death occurs in approximately 3-15% of patients.

SJS most commonly occurs in elderly people, most likely because they tend to take more medication than other age groups, but it can strike at any age. One class of the medications most associated with SJS is the NSAID class of drugs, pain relievers that include Ibuprofen, Bextra, and Vioxx. Users of Bextra seem to be at a higher risk for the disease than with other NSAIDs, though the reason why is not completely understood.

Early symptoms of SJS and TEN tend to be non-specific including cough, fever, red rash around the trunk of the body, aches, and headaches. As the disease progresses, the rash tends to get worse with signs of blistering, especially around the mouth, eyes, and other areas with mucous membranes. Eventually blistering starts to deteriorate the skin, causing seepage and burn-like marks. The disease can also lead to other severe medical problems such as kidney failure, liver damage, and blindness.

SJS treatments involve hospital care

Treatment for SJS is done almost exclusively at a hospital. Like most diseases, the earlier it is caught the better chance of avoiding the most severe symptoms, including infections that could lead to death. Recovery time also depends on the ultimate severity of the disease, and even those who are in recovery can still be at risk to infection, dehydration, and other complicating factors.

Often the symptoms and progression of the disease stop as soon as the patient stops taking the medication. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking medication, particularly if it is a new medication and it is a NSAID pain reliever, contact your doctor immediately. Regardless of the treatment plan your doctor recommends, keep him or her aware of your status especially if your symptoms get worse.

Then contact Jim S. Adler & Associates. Your medical bills could quickly add up and you may have to lose time from work, even if you experience moderate symptoms. Do not allow a defective drug affect the financial health of you and your family. There has been a direct link found between Bextra and these serious skin diseases, which is part of the reason why it is no longer on the market. Had it been properly tested, it never would have made the market in the first place, or it would have been reformulated to avoid these side effects. If you are suffering because of a drug manufacturer’s negligence, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us right now for a free case review.