Adverse drug reactions are all too common. Most are
unreported; however, they contribute to over 150,000 deaths
per year, making them a leading cause of death in the U.S.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner has
estimated that anywhere between 3-11% of hospitalizations
every year are due to adverse drug reactions. People taking
various prescriptions and over the counter medications are
often unknowingly making themselves susceptible to serious
adverse side effects that can lead to death.
Stevens - Johnson Syndrome (SJS), and Toxic Epidural
Necrolysis Syndrome (TEN) another form of SJS, are severe,
adverse skin reactions to both prescription and over the
counter medications. Many different drugs can trigger SJS,
but anti-convulsants, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory
drugs are most consistently responsible for causing SJS.
While anyone can develop SJS, a Caucasian predominance has
been reported. It is most commonly seen in children and in
women (a 2:1 ratio compared to men), and can lead to death
if left untreated. According to some reliable sources and
reports from 3% to 15% of patients who contract severe SJS
die from the syndrome. Additionally, over half the people
who develop SJS experience serious upper respiratory tract
infections.
First discovered in 1922, Stevens - Johnson Syndrome is a
serious inflammatory skin disease and is characterized by
painful, ulcerated lesions on the skin and mucous
membranes. According to the Stevens - Johnson Syndrome
Foundation, the symptoms of SJS include:
. Rash, blisters or red splotches on the skin.
. Persistent fever.
. Blisters in mouth, eyes, ears, nose and/or genital area.
. Swelling of eyelids and/or red eyes.
. Conjunctivitis.
. Flu-like symptoms.
Patients with these symptoms have a recent history of
having taken a prescription or over the counter medication.
Various prescription drugs have been found to be strongly
associated with SJS, and some have even been recalled by
the FDA. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
have recently come under a great deal of scrutiny relative
to causing SJS. One such drug is Bextra, an
anti-inflammatory drug prescribed to treat the pain
associated with osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
All of these drugs now have recently strengthened the
warning and precautions sections of their packaging. Most
are now required to have a "black box" warning, the highest
warning level the FDA issues on approved drugs. Some NSAIDs
have even been recalled by the FDA and/or taken off the
market voluntarily by the manufacturer.
While it is impossible to prevent the development of SJS,
short of never taking any needed prescription or over the
counter medication, there are ways to treat the disease if
one does develop symptoms. It is of the utmost necessity to
stop taking the drug associated with the negative side
effects/reactions. After that, hospitalization is usually
necessary, combined with a variety of treatment options
including care from burn units, the ICU and dermatological
teams. If identified and treated properly in a timely
manner, most patients who come down with SJS can recover
successfully.
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