Robert J. Boumis  |  April 21, 2014

Category: Legal News

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Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuitFor epileptics plagued by unpredictable and uncontrollable seizures, a drug like Dilantin may seem a godsend. However, some patients have suffered serious and even life-threatening side effects from the drug.

Dilantin

Dilantin (Phenytoin sodium) is used to treat several types of seizures. It is believed to work by making it harder for very specific brain cells to “ignore” signals with a voltage above the normal range. This would prevent higher-than-normal voltage signals from propagating through the brain, preventing seizures. Curiously, this mechanism may also provide protection against certain types of heart arrhythmias.

The drug was first synthesized in the early 20th century by German scientists. Just before the 1940s, scientists discovered that the drug could be used to control seizures without some of the issues associated with earlier seizure drugs. Prior to the invention of Dilantin, the main treatment for seizures was barbiturates, which are sedatives.

Dilantin Side Effects

Dilantin is generally recognized as a safe drug. However, at higher-than-usual doses, it can cause a number of serious problems, including seizures and related problems. The drug can also cause birth defects when women use the drug during pregnancy. This can be problematic, since suddenly ceasing treatment for seizures can make epilepsy worse.

The drug has also been linked to several autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases and reactions are situations in which the immune system goes haywire. The immune system usually helps keep the body free of disease by attacking invading bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. But when autoimmune reactions strike, the immune system attacks the patient’s own body. Dilantin has been linked to several well-known autoimmune diseases, including drug-induced lupus. In lupus, the body attacks various tissues and often cause a “wolf” rash on the face, giving the disease its name. Unlike other forms of lupus, drug-induced lupus will often go away quickly once a patient stops taking the drug that caused it. However, drug-induced lupus is not the only autoimmune problem linked to the drug.

SJS

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is another serious autoimmune reaction linked to Dilantin. In SJS, the body attacks its own skin. Additionally, SJS can spread to the surface of the internal organs, impairing their function. The disease typically starts with a fever and aches, but progresses to a skin rash with blisters, then sores, and then ulcers. The damage to the skin leaves a patient vulnerable to secondary infection and other complications.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a relatively rare disorder, so physicians and researchers still have many questions about the causes and treatments. Patients may take a drug hundreds of times without incident, then develop SJS. Others may suffer the reaction on their first dose. Doctors are not certain what causes some patients to develop SJS from relatively common drugs like Dilantin.

A genetic component appears to play a role in SJS among Dilantin patients, but many people who develop SJS lack the suspected gene and vice versa. Even more troubling, a reliable treatment has not been found. While other autoimmune diseases like lupus respond to steroids, some evidence suggests this may make SJS worse. Instead, physicians are often limited to supportive therapy, treating the symptoms while the reaction runs its course.

Even when Dilantin or other drugs are withdrawn, the reaction can continue for weeks, even months. Healing from the widespread damage of Stevens Johnson Syndrome can take months or even years. Some complications such as disfiguring or disabling scarring, impaired organ function, or even blindness, can be permanent.

In general, Dilantin Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

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If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication, like Dilantin, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Filing an SJS lawsuit or class action lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Obtain a free and confidential review of your case by filling out the form below.

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