The Life-Threatening Stevens-Johnson Drug Allergy: Know the Symptoms
A Stevens-Johnson
drug allergy commonly develops in response to NSAID’s or other
types of medicine commonly prescribed. There may be no warning and
the symptoms may emerge after some days taking the prescription or
over-the-counter pain reliever. When the body’s attempt to
metabolize a drug goes awry, the drug reactions vary from mild to
severe. Since they develop rapidly, it is important to know the
symptoms and react quickly - treating any instance as the emergency
it could very quickly become. Urticaria is one
of the symptoms that may initially emerge: large, red welts that
swell excessively. They itch and can seem to suddenly appear and
disappear. A related type of swelling is angiodema, which can be very
serious if it occurs in your throat or around the tongue, blocking
the airway. In such a case, it is known as a kind of anaphylaxis.
This is the term for the immune system’s shock reaction to an
allergen. It usually develops within seconds or minutes after
exposure, unlike an SJS reaction, which may appear over days. At the onset, the
allergen causes a flood of chemicals that constrict your airways and
lower blood pressure. Normal breathing is impaired and the pulse may
become weak. Common sources of this for most people include some
foods, medications, latex, or snake venom.
In case the
allergic reaction is food related, immediately drinking water to
flood the system and dilute the chemicals in the blood can be useful
while the medical authorities are called. Ultimately, the condition
may be fatal if the event is severe. It is important to go to the
emergency room where it may be treated as quickly as possible with a
shot of epinephrine.
SJS affects the
immune system similarly, though the symptoms have a slower onset,
they may gradually turn into a more advanced version of the disease
known as toxic epidermal necrolysis. Therefore, it is also important
to be on guard and react quickly for emergency medical attention. It
is imperative to stop taking any drug you may suspect of causing the
reaction. If you have
experienced symptoms of an allergic reaction like itching or burning
of the skin, it is important to avoid other sulfa-based drugs, which
could cause a similar event. To take increased precaution from such
sensitivity, it would be a good idea to avoid other medications known
to cause SJS as well, like aspirin. The FDA website offers more
information on medications related to this outcome. Therapy typically
consists of helping a patient suffer the systemic vulnerability
entailed in losing the body’s protective layer. There is a focus on
keeping a protective environment around a patient, to the exclusion
of possible pathogens and contaminants. The primary risk during the
most acute phase is of infection and complication. Electrolytes and
preventive antibiotics are given. Immunoglobulin is also sometimes
used to help the immune system deal with its response. Above all, the
cause must be removed from the system, after which natural immunity
is once again restored and a process of self-healing can begin
(though a patient will always likely be sensitive to the drug).
Various pain relief strategies are in place as well.
Because this
condition is a painful consequence of a drug maker’s failure to
disclose potential side effects, anyone that undergoes this ordeal
should seek legal help after medical treatment. To read more about
this process, consider the Dilantin side effects lawsuit history.
Information related to drug litigation can help those affected make
an informed decision while they consider whether to pursue legal
action The drug-maker Warner-Lambert was fined by the FDA in the
amount of $10 million for issues related to quality control during
the production of Dilantin between the years 1990-1992. The lawsuit
allowed the victims or their family members to recoup losses after
taking the medication during those years.
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