Lawyers are investigating patient claims of anticonvulsant drug side effects. If you experienced Lamictal DRESS syndrome, you may have a legal claim.

Patients have reported experiencing severe side effects as a result of taking Lamictal, an anticonvulsant drug. The drug is most commonly used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder.

Despite its utility, Lamictal has recently been linked to a number of severe and possibly life-threatening side effects, including:

Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis

Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms

What is Lamictal DRESS Syndrome?

Reports suggest that patients could be at risk for developing Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) as a result of their use of Lamictal.

DRESS is an adverse reaction to Lamictal that involves hypersensitivity to the drug, and can have a mortality rate of up to 10%, according to studies. Eosinophilia is a condition in which a person’s body increases production of eosinophils, a type of disease-fighting white blood cell, in response to an allergen. This reaction, and other systemic symptoms has been reported in patients taking Lamictal, suggesting that many patients do not respond well to the drug.

Reports show that Lamictal DRESS syndrome most commonly shows up two to eight weeks after a person starts taking Lamictal. Even after patients stop taking Lamictal, DRESS has been reported to reappear  up to three to four weeks after the medication is no longer being used. This belated appearance shows up in the form of “flare ups” after initial improvement has been experienced.

In the early period of experiencing a DRESS reaction, patients often first develop a fever, followed by rashes. The rash can take a range of forms, from very mild breakout to extensive blistering and skin loss. Most patients who experience Lamictal DRESS syndrome experience a moderate rash, between the very mild and very extreme, damaging rash. Reportedly, an auto-immune disorder can develop after DRESS has been diagnosed.

In the case of Lamictal DRESS syndrome, one internal organ is involved. However, the prevention of Lamictal DRESS syndrome is widely variable, making diagnosis difficult in many cases. Additionally, the extent of skin rashes does not necessarily correlate with the level to which internal organs are affected, according to studies.

A range of drug types are known to be associated with DRESS symptoms, but these symptoms are most commonly associated with anticonvulsants like Lamictal, antibiotics, and allopurinol (uric acid reducer).

Reportedly, the development of DRESS syndrome occurs in 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 cases of anticonvulsant use. Genetic factors also play a role, as people whose relatives experienced DRESS syndrome may be more likely to experience Lamictal DRESS syndrome with their use of the drug — an individual’s risk of developing Lamictal DRESS syndrome may go up as much as 25% if they have immediate family members who have experienced the side effect.

If you or a loved one experienced Lamictal DRESS syndrome, you may have a legal claim. Joining a Lamictal lawsuit could help you receive compensation for physical, emotional, and financial injury incurred from Lamictal side effects.