Alendronate is a medication used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in both men and women. In some cases, alendronate has been linked to a rare life-threatening skin disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Blistering rashes as well as blisters on the mucous membranes characterize this condition according to Drugs.com. Knowing what to look for and when to seek treatment can increase the likelihood of surviving this serious disease.
Symptoms
People taking alendronate may initially believe that they are developing a cold or the flu. They may experience body aches or stiff joints, fever, chills, cough and a general feeling of fatigue, according to MayoClinic.com. A flat red rash will often develop on the face and trunk and spread irregularly over the body. The skin will develop blisters that easily rub off. Over time, the skin begins to die and peel off. People commonly develop painful blisters on the mucous membranes such as those in the eyes, mouth, anus and genitals. The eyes often swell and fill with pus, causing them to seal shut. This often leads to permanent scarring of the corneas.
Time Frame
People often do not develop symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome for up to two weeks after beginning a medication such as alendronate, according to Skin Association, a website created to help those with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The progression of the disease may also vary with people experiencing a rash and skin peeling hours after initial symptoms or weeks. Commonly the active stage of skin loss and rash can last between one and 14 days, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library.
Complications
The most common complication of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a body-wide infection known as sepsis. Compromised skin integrity can leave the body exposed to a wide variety of bacteria and viruses as well as cause fluid loss leading to shock. Stevens-Johnson syndrome can also cause permanent scarring and skin damage, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Treatments
If it is determined that a person taking alendronate does have Stevens-Johnson syndrome, physicians will often admit them to the burn unit because the staff is familiar with treating patients with compromised skin integrity. Physicians first will immediately stop the alendronate medication. Physicians will treat patients with fluids to help avoid shock and will often provide nutrition through a nasogastric tube, a tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach to allow for proper nutrition when patients cannot swallow. In some cases, physicians will use a drug known as intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG, to help stop the disease process.
Prognosis
People with Stevens-Johnson syndrome have a high incidence of death, according to the National Institutes of Health. The prognosis, however, often depends on when the disease was diagnosed, how quickly it progresses and the immune system of the patient. If a person can avoid infection and shock, they often will survive the disease.
