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Teenager sues for $48 million for ibuprofen's rarest side effect
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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A judge has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $48 million to an American who suffered from a rare side effect of the fever-reducing drug Motrin (ibuprofen).
According to the court, the reason for this decision was the lack of information provided to consumers about this side effect.
Back in October 2005, 16-year-old Christopher Trejo of Westchester, California, took Motrin, a pain-relieving and fever-reducing drug manufactured by McNeil Consumer Healthcare (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson).
After taking Motrin, the boy developed a severe side effect - Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which consists of the destruction of the layer of skin and mucous membranes, as a result of which their upper layer separates in the form of large blisters.
In 2008, a teenager filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, claiming that the company failed to disclose the possibility of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and only briefly mentioned the risk of severe allergic reactions.
As a result of the consideration of the claim, the court found the company guilty and ordered it to pay compensation in the amount of 48 million dollars.