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Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS) is a serious and life threatening skin condition that is caused by an allergic reaction to medication. Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is considered by experts to be a more serious form of Steven’s Johnson Syndrome, an explosive skin condition that is also caused by adverse drug reaction. Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is rare, affecting an estimated one to three people per million annually throughout the world. When a person does develop toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, there is a high risk of mortality.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is deadly in up to forty percent of all cases. Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome causes the skin to peel off in sheets making a patient look severely burned. The damage caused by toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome exposes deeper layers of the skin, causing skin to ooze fluids and making infection more likely. The most common complications of toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome include: septicemia (infection), blood related problems, gastrointestinal bleeding, pneumonia, blindness and other ocular complications, loss of the nails, and more.
The initial symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome typically include fever and cough. Soon after these symptoms develop, a patient will usually begin to develop lesions on their skin and mucous membranes that appear purple or red in color. Patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome may experience peeling of their skin without blistering. The progression of toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome occurs rapidly, taking an average of three days to reach peak severity. This condition can rapidly spread to the eyes, genitals, mouth, and internal systems.
There is no specific treatment that is used to treat those who suffer toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome. Treatment often depends on a patient’s age, general health condition, symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, and more. If an adverse drug reaction is the suspected cause of toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, the medication should be discontinued immediately.
There are at least one hundred different drugs that have been shown to cause toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome. The most common drugs that have been known to cause toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome include sulfa drugs, antibiotics, some anti-convulsants, tuberculosis drugs, Allopurinal (gout treatment), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, Aleve, and Bextra. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and Bextra are used by millions of people worldwide. It has been scientifically proven that these drugs cause toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome. Some drug companies include toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome warning statements on their product packaging and others do not.
If you or a loved one has suffered toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome as a result of prescription drug use, you may wish to explore your legal rights and options in a case to seek relief for your losses. A qualified attorney can evaluate your case to determine how best to protect and maximize your legal interests.
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