Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a milder form of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and consists of a user suffering from a severe allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to specific medications. I am often asked what medications are most likely to cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, by clients who aren’t sure if they are eligible for compensation.

Let me first say that ANY medication has the potential to cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. While there are drugs that are more likely to be the culprit, there is no limit to which drugs can bring it about. The list below contains the most commonly used drugs that have been linked with SJS and TEN.

First, there are the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, which are often called NSAIDS or Cox-2 Inhibitors:

  • Bextra /valdecoxib Children’s Motrin
  • Daypro/Oxaprozin Feldene/Piroxicam
  • Arava/leflunomide Celebrex
  • Vioxx Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen Ketoprofen
  • Advil Aleve
  • Bayer Excedrin
  • Oxyphenbutazone Diclofenac Sodium &
  • Indomethacin

Common over-the-counter cold medicines such as:

  • Advil Cold And Sinus
  • Dimetapp Sinus
  • Motrin IB Sinus
  • Aleve Cold And Sinus

Antibiotics such as:

  • Tetracycline Doxycycline
  • Amoxicillin Ampicillin
  • Zithromax/azithromycin Beta-Lactams
  • Penicillins Ciprofloxacin
  • inparfloxacin Ciprofloxacin
  • Enoxacin Levofloxacin
  • Lomefloxacin Norfloxacin &
  • Ofloxacin

And other medications like the following:

  • Tegretol Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin Sodium/Dilantin Carbamazepine
  • Rosemide Methazolamide
  • Scopolamine Tropicamide &
  • Gentamycin

While these are the most common drugs to be linked to SJS and TEN, there is research showing more drugs every day. I research new cases and studies daily to ensure that all of my information is up-to-date because I believe that an informed client makes better decisions.

If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms that are associated with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and TEN (a red or purple rash that keeps spreading, pain in the skin, painful blisters, etc.), you should seek your doctor’s help immediately. I also recommend that you take advantage of my firm’s expertise and talk to one of my disability insurance attorneys, who can help you understand your rights and seek the compensation you are entitled to.