SJS causes mucosal ulcerations and blisters all over the body, and carbamazepine, an antiepileptic medication, is the most common cause. Chen Yuan-tsung points out that up 15 % of people who take carbamazepine die of an allergic reaction to it. In the remaining 85 %, the drug can have side effects or sequelae such as long-term inflammation of the cornea or an esophageal disorder.
中研院生醫所所長陳垣崇指出，高達百分之十五的人吃了這個藥會過敏致死，其餘百分之八十五的人可能產生副作用和後遺症，如眼角膜長期發炎或食道病變等等。