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Bextra Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is a rare condition that causes large portions of the epidermis, the outer layer of skin, to separate from the layers of skin below. An allergic reaction to a medication is the principal cause of toxic epidermal necrosis syndrome.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome usually begins with nonspecific symptoms like a fever, cough, and other symptoms. Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome spreads rather quickly and purple, bloody-looking lesions on the skin and mucous membranes will form following the initial symptoms. These lesions are normally found on the head, neck, and upper chest, and can merge and blister, at the same time being extremely painful. Sheets of epidermis then begin to separate from the skin layers below. Eventually in severe cases, the entire surface of the skin may separate, resulting in the 100% loss of the epidermis.

Researchers have found the main cause of toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome to be a severe allergic drug reaction. Some researchers believe additional infectious causes can cause toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome. Transplant patients can suffer toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome caused by graft vs. host disease. There are a reported one hundred different drugs that can cause toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome. The most commonly implicated drugs include antibacterial sulfonamides, antibiotics such as aminopenicillins, and anticonvulsants like phenytoin. The newest drugs added to that list are COX-2 inhibitors like Bextra, which was recalled by the FDA on April 7, 2005.

While treatment for toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome will vary between cases, there is no specific treatment. Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome patients are typically treated in intensive care or a burn unit to prevent infection of the exposed skin, and receive treatment similar to that given to patients with major burns. Dehydration is a major concern with the loss of skin, so intravenous fluids are given to keep the patient hydrated. Nutritional supplementation from a tube routed through the nose to the stomach may also be contemplated to promote the healing of the skin. Infection is a major risk with toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome, so open lesions are treated with topical antiseptics.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is a severe condition, and about 25-30% of patients with it die. Those at the highest risk for death are the elderly, those with extensive skin lesions, and those with AIDS. Widespread systemic infection (sepsis) is the primary cause of death. Those strong enough to survive toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome will be completely healed in three to four weeks.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome is an extremely painful and deadly disease. If you or a loved one has suffered from toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome because of an allergic reaction to drugs, you may be due just compensation for your suffering. Contact an experienced toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome to help put together your case, because you've suffered enough already.

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Bextra Consumer Information - Patient FAQ on Bextra, including side effects, warnings and drug information from the FDA.

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