The shot was administered to students at several schools in the West Java Province as part of the government’s national immunization program. No other children reported having severe problems, but shortly after receiving the vaccine, the young Syadiah came down with a fever and began complaining of joint pain. A health care provider gave her paracetamol syrup and an “unknown powdered medicine.” But the little girl’s health continued to fail. She started developing rashes over her body and blisters broke out on her skin, lips, tongue and gums. She was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with SJS.

SJS is a severe adverse reaction to medication that affects about one in a million people each year. There are as many as 200 medications linked to SJS, most commonly antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, anti-viral medications such as those for HIV/AIDS, and anti-seizure medicines. As the condition progresses, skin can peel off leaving the body susceptible to infection and possibly even death.

A health official in Depok debunked the notion that medical malpractice is to blame for the girl’s SJS. He is concerned that media coverage of the adverse reaction may scare people from having their children immunized.

“The media’s focus on the wrong reasons behind [Syadiah’s] condition could put the nation in greater danger,” he said.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Girl suffers SJS after receiving tetanus shot

Intelence is a tablet available only by prescription. It is a type of anti-HIV medicine called a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), also known as a non-nuke. It is used to control HIV infection in adults and must be used in conjunction with other HIV medications. Intelence is for patients who have previously received treatment for HIV-1 and showed resistance to NNRTIs and protease inhibitors.

The clinical trials revealed that Intelence does carry a slight risk for serious skin reactions such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), hypersensitivity reaction and erythema multiforme.

More than 200 medications have been linked to SJS and its more severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), most commonly ibuprofen, antibiotics and anti-seizure medications. SJS and TEN are severe expressions of a simple rash known as erythema multiforme. As the condition worsens, the rashes blister over causing the skin to peel off. Mucus membranes, such as the mouth and eyes, can blister over causing dehydration, infection, blindness and even death.

Patients taking medication, including Intelence, should be aware of the potential life-threatening risk of SJS/TEN

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › HIV treatment linked to slight risk of SJS/TEN

Darunavir, manufactured by Tibotec, belongs to a class of anti-HIV drugs called protease inhibitors (PI). It works to prevent cells infected by HIV from producing new virus, thus reducing the amount of virus in the body. Darunavir must be coadministered with 100-mg ritonavir and with other antiretroviral agents. It was approved by the FDA in June 2006 for HIV-positive adults who were treatment-experienced.

Last October, darunavir was approved for HIV-positive individuals beginning treatment. The medication has proven effective for patients who are not likely to respond to older PIs and for those who are starting antiretroviral therapy for the first time.

SJS and its more severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), are serious adverse reactions to medication. The reaction begins with a rash that blisters over, causing the skin to peel off in sheets. Mucus membranes in the eyes and mouth also can blister over, leading to dehydration, infection, blindness, and even death. More than 200 medications have been linked to SJS and TEN, including NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, antibiotics and anti-seizure medication.

Other warning included in the labeling revisions for darunavir include warnings of potential drug-drug interactions and pregnancy risk. Darunavir should not be taken with dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cisapride, pimozide, oral midazolam, triazolam, St. John’s Wort, lovastatin, simvastatin, or rifampin.

Darunavir also should be taken during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk, according to the report. Mothers on darunavir should not breast feed, and children younger than 3 should not take darunavir.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › HIV medication carries warning of SJS

Modafinil (Provigil) is approved by the FDA to treat narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Modafinil (Provigil) also has been shown effective in the treatment of depression, cocaine addition, Parkinson’s Disease and schizophrenia, though the FDA has not approved the drug for those conditions. It also was thought to be an effective treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however in 2006 it was rejected by the FDA for use by children for ADHD. Cephalon now discourages the drug’s use in children for any purpose.

Since December 1998, when Modafini (Provigil) was introduced to the market until January 30, 2007, seven cases of seven cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions to the medicine were reported to the FDA. Those cases included SJS and its more severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

SJS and TEN has a reported incidence rate of about one case per million people each year. It is most often caused by an adverse reaction to medication. Medications that have been linked to SJS and TEN include NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflamatory agents), anti-seizure medications and some antibiotics.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Stimulant drug added to list of meds that can cause SJS/TEN