Cymbalta Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit Filed Against Eli Lilly

A Kansas woman is has filed a product liability lawsuit against Eli Lilly and Co. after suffering a dangerous and disfiguring skin reaction, known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which was allegedly caused by side effects of Cymbalta

Nanci Matos, filed the Cymbalta lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on January 6.

According to the complaint, Matos alleges that she developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome from Cymbalta, a popular antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication.

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Matos began taking Cymbalta in November 2009. By December, she indicates that she started to show signs of a skin reaction and was hospitalized in January 2010.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a reaction that can be caused by some medications, where the skin begins to burn from the inside out, producing blisters, severe rash and the skin may separate from the body. When the skin lesions affect more than 30% of the body, the condition is typically referred to as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

Treatment for SJS or TEN typically involves inpatient care at a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Burn Unit, and the conditions can be fatal in many cases.

Matos’ Stevens-Johnson syndrome lawsuit claims that Eli Lilly failed to adequately warn doctors and patients that Cymbalta side effects could cause dangerous skin reactions.

According to the lawsuit, the FDA asked the company as early as 2007 to investigate potential link between Cymbalta and skin reaction problems, but Eli Lilly allegedly ignored that request and a number of other warnings by experts until September 2011, when the Cymbalta label was updated to include a warning of SJS and other skin reaction side effects.

Matos accuses Eli Lilly of strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, misrepresentation, fraud and violations of consumer protection laws. She seeks damages for disfigurement, pain, suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, shame, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium and other injuries.

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5 Comments

  • LYNNNovember 15, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    Was prescribed Cymbalta for depression, took Cymbalta for years. A few months ago I was prescribed over the recommended dosage. Woke up in massive pain 9-5-13. At Emergency they found blood in my spine, did CT scan and found blood around the brain. Transported to UC Davis Med Center. Originally diagnosed with brain aneurysm. Several surgeries no aneurysm found. Surgeons think it was a brain[Show More]Was prescribed Cymbalta for depression, took Cymbalta for years. A few months ago I was prescribed over the recommended dosage. Woke up in massive pain 9-5-13. At Emergency they found blood in my spine, did CT scan and found blood around the brain. Transported to UC Davis Med Center. Originally diagnosed with brain aneurysm. Several surgeries no aneurysm found. Surgeons think it was a brain bleed resulting from serotonin reuptake inhibitor syndrome caused by Cymbalta. The brain bleed caused a brain stroke. Went through horrible jerking and sleeplessness for weeks in intensive care unit at UC Davis as a result of the withdrawals from Cymbalta. I was in UC Davis Medical Center in NSICU for about 6 weeks and was not released for the hospital until October 22nd. I have found that studies have shown that Cymbalta causes unusual 'Bleeds' and believe that Cymbalta caused the brain bleed that resulted in my stroke. I have suffered from depression all my life and have now been informed by the doctors that because of my condition caused by Cymbalta I will never be able to take any type of anti-depressant for the rest of my life which will result in ruining the quality of my life

  • KennethAugust 12, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    My doctor increased my Cymbalta from 90mg in the morning to 60mg twice a day in the morning and at bedtime since the increase bilster like forms started on my skin all over my body. It has now reached a point where it is very painful to walk or due regular activity. I am very scared that this with get worse as I also have diabetes type 1, I also have phybromigia .

  • JimFebruary 26, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    MY wife seriously disabled by Cymbalta recently

  • rhondaOctober 21, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    I commend each and everyone of you for telling your stories of the adverse affects of these prescription drugs. The pharm companies are no better than the meth pusher on the corner. I encourage everyone to report side affects of all drugs to the fda via their website. I look forward to the day the ceo's of the pharm co's are charged in the criminal court for the deaths that have resulted from the[Show More]I commend each and everyone of you for telling your stories of the adverse affects of these prescription drugs. The pharm companies are no better than the meth pusher on the corner. I encourage everyone to report side affects of all drugs to the fda via their website. I look forward to the day the ceo's of the pharm co's are charged in the criminal court for the deaths that have resulted from their pills.

  • TresaOctober 5, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Lets talk for a minute about LOSS OF ENJOYMENT OF LIFE,SHAME< EMBARRASSMENT,MENTAL ANGUiSH,PAIN,SUFFERING, AND ABOVE ALL LOSS OF LIFE...YES I SAID LOSS OF LIFE.... not only my husbands, but of mine... are these ppl ever going to compinsate for the loss of my husbands life in turn THE LOSS OF MY LIFE AS I knew it.....what a joke this med is and for Lily to continue to pass this out is a crime.

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