SJS Develops Quickly And Leaves You Susceptible To Infections
Stevens Johnson Syndrome first came to the public attention as an irresponsible consequence of drug vetting during a Senate inquiry into the FDA’s practices in 2004. The press referred to it as a fatal skin rash, and by its shorthand name SJS. During the course of drug reviewer testimony, it became clear that the pain pill Bextra, reportedly similar to Vioxx, had been marketed with claims of protecting the stomach more effectively than older drugs, even though this was never proven within the FDA. SJS was, however, a proven risk, together with increased chance of heart damage. Since that hearing the drug was recalled by its maker Pfizer, and other drug companies more regularly disclose facts about medication causing the condition. Though it sometimes appears idiopathically - that is doctors do not identify a clear reason for its existence - the epidemiology, or known causes, are clearly correlated with reaction to medication. The SJS Foundation is one resource where one might learn more about the condition’s history and continuing efforts on the part of those who have suffered from it to raise awareness. The foundation also supports research about the way the illness develops and how to treat it. One of their main messages advocates for early medical treatment and stopping all drugs that might be causing SJS. Though rare, it is a dramatic and painful drug reaction. Symptoms of SJS are remarkable in their visibility. One typically feels feverish and quickly develops blisters that allow the top layer of epidermal cells to slough off, leaving the body more exposed to dangers in the environment. The "exfoliation" is truly a kind of cell death, or necrolysis. The elderly are more at risk, by virtue of their increased chance to be prescribed the allergy-causing drugs. Medical evaluations of skin lesions always include questions as to whether one has begun a new drug within two months prior to signs of the illness. A range of drugs have triggered the condition, including Sulfonamides (Sulfa drugs) as the most common trigger, accounting for approximately 30% of cases, followed by anticonvulsants (including Phenytoin), and a wide range including commonly-used pain relievers (analgesics) like acetaminophen, antibiotics (Aminopenicillins and Tetracycline), and Barbiturates. Children’s Motrin has also been linked to the serious disorder. When the affected area reaches 30% of the body’s surface, clinical diagnosis is changed to toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). SJS is the name for the disease when the involved area covers less than 30%. The differing names represent a merging of previous usage before the disease was understood. However, because of the medications involved, SJS has received much more attention. Given the direct causal relationship between the root of the illness and its suffering, sometimes resulting in death, juries and judges have found culpability on the part of those marketing these drugs. If you or a loved one has had experience with SJS, it is highly advisable to do an initial search for a qualified lawyer who has experience with this subject, and begin a conversation about possible compensation. As the testimony before the Senate Finance Committee in 2004 showed, even researchers internal to the FDA with decades of service denounced the agency’s surrender to the demands of drug makers. Those who spoke about harmful, new drugs that had been fast-tracked through the review process were outraged that drug companies should reap profits while unwitting patients seeking relief from pain suffered even more for it. The legal system has found that there was harm and negligence related to marketing these products before they were fully understood. Without full disclosure of all side effects, those who take them run the risk of developing a Stevens-Johnson drug allergy . However, if you or a family member has directly been affected, moving forward with legal counsel is an important step.
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