ProQuad is the trade name for the MMRV vaccine produced by Merck Pharmaceuticals. It is typically given to children between 1 and 2 years of age. Children in this age group are usually given the MMRV or the three-in-one MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) plus the chickenpox vaccine. The MMRV vaccine made headlines recently because it has been associated with a higher incidence of fever seizures in children 7-10 days after the shot was given. Studies also show the drug carries a risk of SJS. However, since the vaccine combines four different vaccinations, researchers say it is hard to pinpoint which drug is the offending one.

SJS has been associated with more than 2,000 medications, most often antibiotics and ibuprofen. Those who suffer from the condition develop painful rashes on the skin that blister over and cause the top layer of the skin to peel away. This exposes the body to life threatening infections. Blisters also can form in the eyes and mucous membranes, leading to ocular complications, dehydration and other serious problems.

Any skin reactions with any medication should be immediately brought to the attention of a health care provider and the offending medication stopped. Adverse events with this or any other drug should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program at www.FDA.gov/MedWatch.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › MMRV vaccine linked to serious skin reaction known as SJS

Side effects from famotidine are usually mild and include headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea and fussiness, however more serious effects such as hives, skin rashes and swelling have been reported. While reports of TEN associated with famotidine are rare, the condition can be life threatening.

SJS/TEN have been associated with as many as 2,000 medications, most often NSAIDs, antibiotics and anti-seizure drugs. SJS/TEN begins with a rash that blisters over causing the skin to slough off in sheets. Blisters can also form on the mucous membranes affecting the eyes, nose, mouth and genitals.

Famotidine is not a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and thus was not among the heartburn drugs cited by a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning about the increased risk of wrist, hip and spine fractures with PPIs. Another heartburn medication, Reglan (metoclopramide), has also fallen under an FDA black box warning after reports of consumers who took the medication developed a serious movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Pepcid linked to serious skin reaction

SJS is a serious condition. It is most identified by a rash on the skin. The rash can blister and peel away, giving victims the appearance of having fourth degree burns. Many are treated in burn units. Blisters can form on mucus membranes such as the eyes and throat making it difficult and painful for patients to eat, drink or void. Eye conditions and even blindness can occur. In more severe cases, SJS can cause seizures, coma and even death. In some cases, rashes and lesions may never appear, and often the condition goes undiagnosed until it is too late.

Several common prescription and over-the-counter medications have been linked to SJS, including ibuprofen, anti-seizure medicines and antibiotics. Not all drug labels provide current warnings about medical risks. For example, Motrin provided a warning of SJS on its label when the medication was only available by prescription. The over-the-counter Motrin product does not provide a warning on its label.

If you experience any symptoms of SJS, contact your doctor and ask to be taken off the medication. You may also want to consult with a product liability lawyer, as many are accepting legal cases to submit lawsuits against the makers of the drug companies for failing to adequately warn consumers of the risk for this serious adverse reactions to their medications.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Beasley Allen attorney warns public of serious adverse drug reactions