A Lamictal case study reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes a patient’s experience with the life-threatening skin rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

The case involved a 56-year-old woman being treated for depression and anxiety. Due to the severity of her symptoms, Lamictal (lamotrigine) was added to her other antidepressants and within two weeks she showed remarkable improvement. Physicians state that the patient was showing signs of being back to her normal self with the Lamictal drug combination.

However, 16-days later she developed swelling of the face and lips along with blisters inside her mouth, and a rash on her hands and body. After four days, the patient was admitted to the hospital and treated in the Intensive Care Unit as her symptoms got progressively worse.

Medical specialists including an ophthalmologist and dermatologist agreed with the clinical diagnosis of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The treating physicians had the patient stop taking Lamictal, along with the antidepressants, and she was able to make a full recovery two weeks later.

Lamictal SJS Side Effect

Lamitcal is a widely prescribed treatment for epileptic and bipolar patients. However, the mood-stabilizing medication now carries a U.S. Food and Drug Administration black box warning due to the reported link to SJS. A black box warning is considered the strongest caution that the FDA can assign.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is considered a dermatological emergency that requires hospitalization in a burn unit or intensive care in order to treat. Initially patients report flu-like symptoms such as chills, body aches and even a fever.

Next, a painful red or purple rash begins to spread across the skin and mucous membranes. This SJS rash causes blisters that eventually lead the top layer of skin to die and shed.

If physicians can contain the rash so that it covers only up to 30 percent of the body, it is referred to as Stevens Johnson Syndrome. If the rash spreads beyond that, then it is medically known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). If Lamictal is suspected, physicians will urge patients to permanently avoid the drug.

An estimated 300 new reports of Stevens Johnson Syndrome occur each year. Lamictal SJS is fatal 15 percent of the time, while a TEN diagnosis carries a 40 percent mortality rate.

In addition to SJS, other Lamictal side effects include:

• Swollen lymph glands
• Severe fatigue or weakness
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Widespread skin pain
• Severe muscle pain
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Frequent infections
• Hives
• Swelling of the lips or tongue
• Painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Lamictal SJS Lawsuits

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an allergic reaction to medication that some patients allege they were not fully warned about. Patients who develop this condition often consider taking legal action against drug manufacturers for failing to warn about the life-threatening side effect.

In general, plaintiffs seek financial compensation in order to financially recover from the high medical costs of treating SJS, including lengthy hospital stays. Plaintiffs also typically ask to be compensated for the pain and suffering that occurs from developing the serious medical condition.

If you developed SJS as a result of taking Lamictal, contact a Lamictal attorney to find out if you have legal claim.