Over the Counter Drugs

Over-the-Counter drugs are often medications that at one time had been available by prescription only or those that may be obtained by prescription in a stronger dose. The reason these drugs can be dangerous is that often there is no learned intermediary, such as a physician, monitoring the administration and side affects of the medication.

Early symptoms of a drug allergy (headache, rash, and/or nausea) can go unnoticed. In some cases, these symptoms are the reason the individual is taking the over-the-counter drug. These reactions are often benign and go away when the person stops taking it. Sometimes, though, innocent appearing conditions are the early signs of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). These are dangerous, life threatening conditions that progress very quickly. Even when not fatal, the victim, often a child, is left blind, suffering permanent damage to the lungs and esophagus, and significantly scarred.

Attorneys at Specter Specter Evans and Manogue, P.C. are at the forefront of litigation involving SJS and TEN. We believe that we have reviewed more of these cases than any other attorney in the country. We continue to receive inquiries from attorneys within and outside the USA seeking our opinion on a case or seeking to refer SJS/TEN cases to us.