Patients who suffered adverse side effects after taking Lamictal may be able to bring a consumer protection lawsuit against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Lamictal side effects may include a serious drug rash sometimes known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and several other symptoms.

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal, generically known as lamotrigine, is a popular anti-epileptic medication. The anticonvulsant is often used with a combination of other medications to treat epileptic seizures in adults and children.  Sometimes doctors prescribe Lamictal to treat mood episodes in adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Lamictal works by stabilizing nerves in a person’s brain.  The anticonvulsant medication works by blocking sodium channels involved in nerve cell firing. The medication also helps to stop or reduce the building of chemicals like glutamate in the brain, which can be toxic at certain levels.

Skin Reactions to Medication

Lamictal is associated with a rare but serious drug rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome or SJS. Less than 2,000 cases of Stevens Johns Syndrome are reported each year. SJS often results from an allergic skin reaction to medication such as Lamictal.

A patient suffering from Stevens Johnson Syndrome may initially experience flu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, cough, and burning eyes.  Eventually symptoms become more physical and result in a quickly spreading red or purple rash.

The Lamictal SJS drug rash may be accompanied by facial swelling, hives, skin pain, blisters on the skin and mucus membrane, and in serious cases the shedding of large patches of skin.

People who have extremely severe skin reactions to medication like Lamictal may develop Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, also known as TEN.  TEN shares the same symptoms as Stevens Johnson Syndrome but generally affects a much larger area of the body.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and TEN are very serious conditions that can result in death if left untreated. Patients who experience the SJS drug rash symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment of Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome generally requires hospitalization.  Victims are usually treated in the burn unit of the hospital and doctors focus on relieving a patient’s symptoms and keeping the patient hydrated. SJS patients may have to remain in the hospital for several weeks before being released.

Lamictal Drug Rash Lawsuits

Consumer protection attorneys are currently seeking potential plaintiffs to bring Lamictal drug rash lawsuits against the drug manufacturers. Plaintiffs who bring successful lawsuits may receive compensation for their pain and suffering as well as their past and future medical bills.

Lawsuits like these can also help hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their actions and are required to disclose risks of potential side effects to consumers. Potential Lamictal drug rash claims include negligence, strict products liability, failure to warn, breach of warranty, and fraud and misrepresentation.

Consumer protection attorneys can help advise potential plaintiffs whether or not they should bring a Lamictal drug rash lawsuit.