The FDA has recently added aseptic meningitis to the list of Lamictal skin side effects, coming alongside Stevens Johnson Syndrome as an already known possible complication.

Lamictal, known generically as lamotrigine, is an anticonvulsant medication that is prescribed to treat seizures and bipolar disorders.

According to MedlinePlus, seizures are symptoms of a brain problem. They occur due to abrupt and unexpected abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Although most people may associate seizures with a person’s body shaking uncontrollably, a circumstance known as a convulsion, not all seizures cause convulsions.

Epilepsy is a recurrence of episodes of seizures because of a brain disorder.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is also known as a manic-depressive illness. It is a brain condition or disorder that causes strange shifts in energy, activity level, mood and the capability to perform daily activities.

Lamictal is a prescription medication that was initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat and prevent seizures. It was approved as an anti-epileptic.

The medication was approved to specifically treat Bipolar I disorder. However, it has been reported that Lamictal may cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a dangerous and life-threatening skin rash and other Lamictal skin side effects.

Lamictal Skin Side Effects

One of the possible Lamictal skin side effects is a condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or SJS, is a serious inflammatory reaction that affects the skin and is reported to occur as a result of different types of medications.

Symptoms of SJS include feeling as if the skin is burning from the inside out. Other symptoms include severe rashes, blisters and skin separating from the body.

According to the Mayo Clinic, moreover, other symptoms of SJS include an unexplained widespread skin pain, shedding of the skin after blisters form, fever and a red/purple skin rash that spreads. Additionally, several days prior to the rash developing, a person acquiring Stevens-Johnson syndrome may experience fatigue, burning eyes, sore mouth and throat, a fever and a cough.

When the skin lesions begin to form, and start to cover more than 30% of a person’s body, the condition of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis begins. Treatment of these conditions include being transported to a hospital and admitted into a burn unit or ICU.

The FDA also warned about other dangerous Lamictal skin side effects. One possible Lamictal skin side effect is aseptic meningitis.

Aseptic meningitis is the inflammation of the “meninges” or the protective membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain.

The FDA states that they are informing the public that Lamictal, “a medication commonly used for seizures in children two years and older, and bipolar disorder in adults, can cause aseptic meningitis. FDA is revising the Warnings and Precautions section of the drug label and the patient Medication Guide to include information about this risk.”

The FDA went on to say that, “causes of aseptic meningitis include viruses and other non-bacterial infections, toxic agents, some vaccines, malignancy, and certain medications, including Lamictal.”

According to reports, moreover, other than Lamictal skin side effects, first time Lamictal users are at an increased risk for suicide, attempted suicide, and violent deaths.