Etravirine Added to List of Drugs Linked to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

We live in a world of cause and effect. The number of causes to any one effect can be innumerable. Our observations in the world allow us to be aware of some of these cause-effect relationships. This awareness is important in the decisions we make from decisions about what to wear to decisions about what medicines to take.

Awareness of the cause-effect relationship of medicines to severe side-effects is a very important thing to consider. The severe condition Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) has been linked as an effect of several medicines. Now added to the list is etravirine, reports Nurse.com.

Etravirine Linked to SJS
An article from Nurse.com reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had recently issued an alert concerning the drug etravirine. Etravirine, also known as Intelence, is a drug prescribed to treat HIV infection.

The alert issued from the FDA was issued due to the potential increased risk of severe and fatal skin reactions. Included in these reactions is Stevens-Johnson syndrome, among others. Etravirine is now added to a growing list of medications that are linked to SJS.

About SJS
SJS is considered a milder form of toxic epidermal necrolysis. Do not let the adjective milder fool you. It is a severe condition that results in the separation of the epidermis to dermis. It can result in a number of conditions including organ damage, blindness, and even death.

The article from Nurse.com urged nurses to be highly vigilant with patients that have been prescribed etravirine to treat HIV. They have been cautioned to be on the look out for any dermal reactions including blistering and redness of the skin. These rashes have been found to typically occur within the first six weeks of therapy. Along with monitoring skin reactions, nurses caring for patients taking etravirine are also cautioned to look out for anaphylactic reactions.