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About Mary E Scott, RPh, CGP
Expertise
I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.

Experience
I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.

Organizations
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
.I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Pharmacology > Pharmacy > Stephen Johnson Syndrome

Pharmacy - Stephen Johnson Syndrome

Expert: Mary E Scott, RPh, CGP - 10/29/2009

Question
I absalutley hate taking medicines exspecially antibiotics!!!
The thing that scares me the most is stephen johnson syndrome. Can you please tell me how soon after taking a medicine that would develops if it was going to, thanks!

Answer
Hi,Molly,
First of all, Steven-Johnsons syndrome is relatively rare. According to the Steven-Johnsons support group website, out of 1 million patients receiving one of the medications commonly associated with SJS, only 4.5 contracted SJS. And of the antibiotics, sulfonamides are most likely to cause it. An example of a sulfonamide would be Bactrim or Septra (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole). Other meds also cause it such as allopurinol (for gout)and anticonvulsants (for seizures).
Most reactions will occur within the 1st week of therapy. Hope this helps, Mary

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