Pharmaceutical Drug Reactions and Associated Illnesses

Receiving a prescription drug or over the counter drug is supposed to help mend the body of whatever ails it, however, when the body reactions violently to the drugs consumed the result can be deadly. Each year thousands of Americans suffer from what is described as adverse drug reactions to prescription and over the counter drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has even acknowledged that anywhere from 3 to 11 percent of individuals are hospitalized each year because of an adverse drug reaction.

Two of the most common inflammatory skin diseases due to poor reactions to over the counter and prescription drugs are Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and a form of SJS known as Toxic Epidural Necrolysis Syndrome (TEN). 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. It is possible for those who are diagnosed with SJS to die and anywhere from 3 to 15 percent of victims have suffered this consequence. Additionally, over half the people who develop SJS experience serious upper respiratory tract infections.

What is known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, which was discovered in 1922, is a painful skin disease marked by ulcerated lesions found on the skin of a patient. 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. The packaging of these drugs now includes strong warnings and precautions. Most are now required to have a "black box" warning, the highest warning level the FDA issues on approved drugs. The FDA has recalled or requested the manufacturer voluntarily remove these NSAIDs from the market.

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.