SJS Drug List
Stevens Johnson Syndrome occurrence has been known to be associated with the drugs shown below. The most common drugs associated with SJS are COX-2 inhibitors, particularly Bextra (valdecoxib) and Celebrex (celecoxib), sulfa based antibiotics and anticonvulsants. But, many drugs have the potential to cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome and in severe cases Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). These conditions are medically known as immune complex-mediated hypersensitivity (allergic reaction).
Why these specific drugs cause SJS or TEN is not fully understood. However, it is thought that patients with allergies to sulfa drugs have a greater potential to become afflicted with SJS. For example, the FDA has recommended that patients known to have allergies to sulfa drugs, should not take Bextra. Many drugs have sulfa components to the pharmacology, yet the drug is not designated or labeled as a specific sulfa drug. Examples of specifically designated sulfa drugs would be the sulfa-based antibiotics listed below. Proper labeling of drugs is very important to let doctors and patients know about drug side effects, such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, that could cause seriously injury to certain types of patients.
Drug List - SJS Causes (This List is Not Comprehensive)
Cox-2 Inhibitors pain relievers such as:
- Bextra (valdecoxib)
- Celebrex (celecoxib)
- Vioxx (rofecoxib)
- Arcoxia (eterocoxib)
- Prexige (lumiracoxib)
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) such as:
- Children's Motrin
- Motrin
- Daypro (oxaprozin)
- Feldene (piroxicam)
- Arava (leflunomide)
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Ketaprofen
- Advil
- Aleve
- Bayer
- Excedrin
Cold Medicines Containing NSAIDS such as:
- Advil Cold & Sinus
- Dimetapp Sinus
- Motrin IB Sinus
- Aleve Cold And Sinus
Sulfa-Based Antibiotics ( Sulfonamides) such as:
- Penicillins
- Tetracycline
- Doxycycline
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Zithromax/azithromycin
- Beta-Lactams
- Ciprofloxacin
Fluoroquinolone Anitbiotics such as:
- Parfloxacin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Enoxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
Seizure Medications/Anticonvulsants such as:
- Tegretol
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin Sodium/Dilantin
- Carbamazepine
Diruetics such as:
- Furosemide
- Methazolamide
Topical Ocular Medications such as:
- Scopolamine
- Tropicamide
Aminoglycosides such as:
- Gentamycin
If you or a loved one begins to display Stevens Johnson Syndrome symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Although there is no treatment capable of stopping the progression of SJS, symptoms can be successfully managed if the disease is diagnosed early enough. In addition, you should discuss your situation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. If your disease was caused by an allergic drug reaction, he or she might be able to help you obtain compensation from the manufacturers of the defective medication. In addition, your personal injury lawyer might help you in a variety of other situations as many can recommend attorneys who provide services of a birth injury lawyer, auto accident attorney and/or DUI specialist.
Last Revision: July 21, 2009
MediaFact is a major online source of information about drug side effects connected with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
