[Fwd: FW: Motrin Warning]

[Guest guest]

This is not to really scare everyone, but just caution that must be kept

in mind. It is so sad...

MOTRIN KILLED OUR KID, SAYS N.J. COUPLE

By DAVID HAFETZ

May 7, 2006 -- The parents of a spirited 10-year-old girl are accusing

the makers of Children's Motrin and an antibiotic of failing to warn

consumers about a rare side effect that allegedly caused their

daughter's agonizing death.

Nichols son's parents claim that taking the pain reliever and

fever reducer Motrin and antibacterial Flagyl led her to develop

s- syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis - two

excruciating skin diseases that can result from severe reactions to

drugs as well as to over-the-counter medication with ibuprofen.

In their suit filed in Manhattan on May 1, Barry son and Margaret

Nichols of northern New Jersey accuse & , whose

subsidiary McNeil makes Motrin, and Flagyl-maker Pharmacia and Pfizer,

of negligence in 's death on June 2, 2004.

The family claims that in the case of Motrin, McNeil and J & J knew for 30

years that the risk existed but did nothing and also " fraudulently

concealed critical safety information from the FDA and the health-care

community. "

's agony began with blisters and bleeding and progressed to loss of

skin from her head to her feet and what her family describes as the

" melting " of her internal organs.

" This was a senseless death, " 's mother said in an interview.

" And a horrible one, " added her father.

's parents are among a small but growing number of families who are

suing drug companies over deaths related to SJS and toxic epidermal

necrolysis. Last year, the FDA told drug companies to warn of the

connection between the skin diseases and over-the-counter

anti-inflammatory drugs.

" There should have been warnings a long time ago . . . [sJS] is very

preventable if you catch it early, " said Ted Lyon, a Texas lawyer

representing 's parents and other families suing the drug companies.

McNeil and J & J did not return calls. Pfizer declined to comment on

's parents' lawsuit.

's parents are still mourning a beloved girl who was so calm they

nicknamed her " The Little Buddha. " The couple adopted , who was

born in Guatemala, when she was 2 months old.

became seriously ill in March 2004, when she was diagnosed with

brain cancer. Her parents said surgeons successfully removed a large

tumor, but suffered serious complications.

When was transferred to a rehab center later that spring, her

family celebrated what her doctors described as a " miraculous recovery. "

But then developed an infection with a high fever, and doctors

prescribed Flagyl and Children's Motrin.

" She got worse and worse, " her mother said.

looked unconscious, never opening her eyes, but still seemed

aware. Her parents touched her toes, one of the few spots that still had

skin. Nichols says 's last word was " Mom " and, after that, " all she

could do was cry. "