Provigil Attorneys and Lawyers Representing Victims of Sleep Apnea Drug

Provigil and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

As a result of the growing scrutiny that these conditions received from the medical community, pharmaceutical companies began to formulate medications that were intended to treat these conditions. Cephalon, one of the industry leaders in the pharmaceutical world, ultimately formulated a drug known as Provigil. Unfortunately, reports of Provigil side effects eventually began to surface.

Below you'll find information regarding how Provigil works, the Provigil side effects that were linked to it, the dangers encountered by those who suffered from Provigil side effects and how you should proceed if you've been harmed as a result of using this drug.

The Intended Function of Provigil

Provigil is a drug that is intended to treat the symptoms of both obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy, and it does so by providing an awareness boost in those who use it. In a scientific sense, Provigil performs because of its main active ingredient, which is known as modafinil. Modafinil is known in the medical community as a CNS stimulant, and that's exactly what it does – it stimulates the central nervous system in order to prevent the unwanted and uncontrolled sleeping spells that tend to occur in those with obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Provigil was determined initially to be quite successful, so much so that it began to be administered for certain off-label uses, which means that those who were suffering from neither obstructive sleep apnea nor narcolepsy began to use it. Provigil became popular with military fighter pilots, truck drivers and even professional athletes, all of whom saw themselves as directly benefitting from the heightened awareness that Provigil provides.

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Provigil Side Effects - SJS - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Unfortunately, reports of Provigil side effects eventually began to surface. The initial reports of Provigil side effects were troubling but were also dismissed to a degree given their temporary nature. Provigil users complained of hallucinations, depressive episodes and in some cases suicidal thoughts, but additional research showed that most of these problems tended to dissipate after a period of 36 – 48 hours.

However, even more troubling reports of Provigil side effects began to surface that linked the use of the drug to a rare and life-threatening condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or SJS as it is commonly called within medical parlance. SJS sufferers face a difficult task of managing their routine every single day.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Provigil

SJS sufferers understand all too well that this condition is not only sometimes difficult to diagnose, but it's a progressive condition that leads to an incredible amount of pain, agony and suffering. SJS usually begins to present itself in the form of a basic skin rash, and many patients will either ignore this for a time or simply have it treated as a rash.

However, this rash is only the beginning of the progression of the disease, as SJS will advance itself to the point where this skin rash becomes extremely painful and infected. Eventually, the skin and mucous layers of the body, which are intended to protect humans from exposure to certain infections, begin to die and peel off altogether.

As a result, those with advanced SJS become extremely susceptible to the development of not only skin, but other infections that otherwise would never have affected them. As this process continues, patients will have to struggle for their lives, as many SJS patients ultimately die as a result of contracting this condition.

Provigil Lawyers and Attorneys

Ultimately, Cephalon began to affix a direct and clear warning label to all containers of Provigil in 2007, which was nine years after it was originally approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These labels were intended to communicate clearly the inherent risks involved with using this drug and the potential for developing Provigil side effects.

If you or someone you love has suffered from Provigil side effects either during or after using this medication, you need to take action to obtain the information you need regarding your legal rights and options. Contact the Provigil side effects lawyers at the law firm of Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation so that you can move forward with a foundation of sound legal advice.

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