Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an illness that can be disfiguring or even life-threatening, especially if not treated immediately.

This condition can appear as a side effect of the anticonvulsant medication Lamictal (lamotrigine), which is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Most of the cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) linked to Lamictal occurred early on in treatment when the dose was increased rapidly.

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal, generic lamotrigine, is an anticonvulsant medication often used as a mood stabilizer for adults who have bipolar disorder. It is important for patients considering or taking Lamictal to know that this drug may have serious, even life-threatening side effects, such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

What are the Symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Lamictal SJS symptoms may begin several days before the rash appears and may appear to be a flu-like illness with symptoms such as headache, fever, sore throat, cough, burning eyes, diarrhea, and vomiting. SJS symptoms include:

• A quickly spreading purple or red rash
• Widespread skin pain
• Swelling of the face and/or tongue
• Blisters on mucus membranes, especially in the mouth, nose or eyes (may also occur in the genital area)
• Hives
• Shedding of skin

Lamictal SJS Risk

According to a prospectively followed cohort of 1,983 pediatric patients with epilepsy, who took Lamictal, there was one rash-related death.

Other than age, there are no factors identified that are known to predict the risk of occurrence or the severity of SJS rash caused by Lamictal. It is suggested, however, that the risk of the SJS rash may also be increased by taking Lamictal with valproate (Depakote) or exceeding the recommended dose of Lamictal.

Nearly all cases of life-threatening SJS rashes associated with Lamictal have occurred within two to 8 weeks of treatment. However, isolated Stevens Johnson Syndrome cases have been reported after prolonged treatment.

FDA Black Box Warning About Lamictal SJS

Because of the risk of developing SJS from taking Lamictal, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires the prescribing information given to doctors to include what is known as a black box warning regarding the risk for this dangerous Lamictal side effect. Part of the Lamictal SJS rash black boxed warning is as follows:

“Lamictal can cause serious rashes requiring hospitalization and discontinuation of treatment. The incidence of these rashes, which have included Stevens Johnson Syndrome, is approximately 0.8% in pediatric patients receiving Lamictal as therapy for epilepsy and 0.3% in adults on therapy for epilepsy.”

If you are taking Lamictal, it’s important for you to be aware of the symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome so you can recognize them when they first occur. SJS cases can be extremely complex, often resulting in large medical bills for extensive treatment and long-term effects that can be permanently disabling.

If you or a loved one has taken Lamictal and suffered from Stevens Johnson Syndrome you may have cause to file a Lamictal SJS lawsuit.