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STEVENS JOHNSON SYNDROME
by Heidi Turner
Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare but serious allergic reaction to various medications. It has been linked to antibiotics, anti-convulsants, and pain relievers, and is associated with both prescription medications such as Celebrex and Daypro, and over-the-counter drugs including Motrin, Children's Motrin, and Ibuprofen. Bextra, a Pfizer drug prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, was removed from the U.S. market in April, 2005 following its link to SJS.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome causes inflammation of the mucous membranes, which are present in many organs in the body including the eyes, digestive system, and lungs. This means that SJS can cause scarring of these organs and in some cases loss of organ function. Patients with SJS are usually treated in a hospital's burn unit because as SJS develops their skin peels off and their lesions are similar to those that develop after being burned. SJS can be deadly if skin lesions become infected, or if the patient develops lesions in the lungs.
Patients with Stevens Johnson Syndrome generally initially complain of a fever, sore throat, head ache, vomiting and/or diarrhea that typically occur shortly after exposure to the medication. In as little as a day skin lesions and blisters can develop. Common problems include ulcers inside the mouth and irritation to the throat, tongue, gums, and lips. People with SJS can also develop blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, and nasal passage.
Those who survive Stevens Johnson Syndrome often suffer from a number of permanent complications including: blindness, dry-eye syndrome, photophobia, lung damage, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, loss of nail beds, scarring of the esophagus, arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Their skin is often permanently scarred from the lesions and blisters.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome is most likely to occur in people who are extremely allergic to painkillers and antibiotics. Although it is most common in adults between the ages of 20-40 years, it has been diagnosed in infants as young as three months old and occurs twice as often in males as in females Up to 15% of patients with severe SJS can die.
If you are taking medication and develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome, stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical attention. Remember that virtually any drug can lead to Stevens Johnson Syndrome and most do not carry a warning about the risk of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome from taking the medication.
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