Stevens Johnson Syndrome- An Overview

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a skin disease caused by medications such as COX-2 inhibitors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is also known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) or erythema multiform major (EM) Leyll’s syndrome. Common symptoms of SJS are aching, fever and nausea. From there symptoms develop into irritation and skin rashes, inflamed mucus membrane and blisters in the mouth, genitals, eyes and nose. In some cases, patients suffering from SJS die. Although, anybody can develop SJS but it is commonly found in Caucasians.

Drugs Responsible for Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Severe drug reactions are common. These drug reactions contribute to more than 150,000 deaths per year, thus, making them a leading cause of deaths in the United States. According to the Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, approximately 3 to 11 percent of the hospitalizations occur due to the adverse reaction of drugs. People using several prescribed and over the counter drugs are unknowingly exposing themselves to the severe side effects of these medications including death.

Stevens – Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidural Necrolysis Syndrome (TEN) are severe skin reactions occurring to both over the counter and prescription drugs. Although many drugs can cause SJS but people using antibiotics, anti-convulsants and anti-inflammatory drug are at an increased risk of developing SJS. Though anyone can develop SJS, it is commonly found in Caucasians. It is usually found in children and women in the ratio 2:1 and may lead to death. According to the reports, 3 to 15 percent of the patients who develop this syndrome die from it. More than half of the patients suffering from this syndrome experiences severe infections of the upper respiratory system.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome was discovered in 1922. It is a rare skin disease characterized by ulcerated and painful lesions on the mucus membrane and skin. According to the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation, following are the symptoms of SJS:

• Persistent fever
• Red eyes or swelling of the eyelids
• Flu like symptoms
• Red splotches, rashes or blisters on the skin
• Conjunctivitis
• Blisters in the genitals, ears, mouth, eyes or nose

Several prescription drugs were linked to cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled few of them. Recently, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) came under the scrutiny of FDA. For example, Bextra, an inflammatory prescription drug used for the treatment of pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis. FDA has issued black box warning against most of these drugs. Black box warning is one of the harshest warnings given by FDA to any drug. FDA has recalled some of the NSAIDs or manufacturers have taken some of these drugs off the market voluntarily.