What is SJS?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a serious skin condition that causes the skin to develop rashes, blisters, and then peel.

This condition affects the mucus membranes, including the eyes, genitalia, and mouth. Patients who get this condition are typically admitted to a hospital for treatment.

What is TEN?

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening skin reaction, usually caused by a medication.

It's a severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) that is diagnosed when 30% or more of the skin surface is affected and the moist linings of the body have extensive damage.

What causes these conditions?

SJS/TEN is usually caused by a skin reaction to the medicine, showing up one to four weeks after you start taking a new drug.

The most common drug triggers of SJS/TEN include antibiotics, epilepsy drugs, sulfa drugs, and allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim).

Factors that increase the risk of SJS/TEN include:

• HIV infection. About 100 times greater than that among the general population.
• A weakened immune system. Affected by an organ transplant, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune diseases.
• Cancer. People with cancer, especially blood cancers.
• A history of SJS/TEN. Having a medication-related form of this condition.
• A family history of SJS/TEN. If a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, has had SJS/TEN.
• Genetic factors. Taking drugs for seizures, gout, or mental illness.

What medications have been linked to SJS and TEN?

Medications most likely to cause Stevens-Johnson syndrome include:

• Antibiotics
• Allopurinol (Aloprim®, Zyloprim®), is a drug used to treat gout and kidney stones
• Antibacterial sulfa drugs
• Anti-epileptic drugs, including phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), lamotrigine (Lamictal®), and phenobarbital (Luminal®).
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including piroxicam (Feldene®), nevirapine (Viramune®), and diclofenac (Cambia®, Flector®).

What are the symptoms of SJS and TEN?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome symptoms include:

• Fever and cough;
• Body aches;
• Red rash or red blotches on your skin;
• Blisters and sores on the skin and on mucus membranes;
• Peeling skin and skin pain;
• Drooling because closing the mouth is painful;
• Eyes sealed shut due to blisters and swelling; and,
• Painful urination due to blistered mucus membranes.

Signs and symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis include:

• Widespread skin pain
• A spreading rash covering 30% or more of the body
• Blisters and large areas of peeling skin
• Sores, swelling, and crusting on the mucous membranes

What are some common SJS and TEN verdicts and settlements?

• 2018, Illinois: $3,000,000 Verdict. A man was awarded $3M after developing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and later kidney damage when his physician negligently prescribed Bactrim.
• 2018, New York: $1,500,000 Verdict. A woman who developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome facial rashes and mucosal erosion after taking Bactrim for several years. She developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome—and subsequently, facial rashes and mucosal erosion—after her physician’s failure to stop prescribing Bactrim caused her injuries.
• 2017, New York: $710,000 Settlement. A hospital staff’s negligence in discontinuing ibuprofen administration caused a 3-year-old girl to develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
• 2013, California: $89,290 Verdict. A woman sought a dermatologist for mild hand dermatitis and was prescribed Lamisil—the woman alleged that the dermatologist’s failure to properly diagnose her with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome caused her injuries.
• 2013, Massachusetts: $63,000,000 Verdict. A 7-year-old girl was prescribed Children’s Motrin for her fever and developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome which left her with learning difficulties, chronic fatigue, and permanent eye, skin, lung, liver, and reproductive organ damage.

The Consumer Assistance Team believes that victims that suffer from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis should receive justice and compensation for losses.