Patients taking the anticonvulsant medication Lamictal could be in danger because of a link between Lamictal and Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Lamictal—known generically as lamotrigine—is a medication prescribed to treat various types of seizure disorders and bipolar disorder.

The reported link between Lamictal and Stevens Johnson Syndrome can leave patients suffering from a debilitating and sometimes deadly skin reaction that often requires weeks of hospitalization.

What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Lamictal and Stevens Johnson Syndrome are linked because the skin disorder most commonly occurs as an allergic reaction to medications. It can occur with other drugs as well—some of them over-the-counter pain relieving medications whose benign nature we take for granted.

It remains a mystery why one person might react so severely with this skin disorder and another doesn’t.

According to the Mayo Clinic, in addition to Lamictal and Stevens Johnsons Syndrome being connected, other potentially problematic drugs include:

• Allopurinol and other medications used to treat gout, a painful arthritis characterized by high uric acid in the blood
• Tylenol or other acetaminophen products
• Advil, Motrin, or other ibuprophen products
• Aleve or other naproxen sodium products
• Some antibiotic regimens used to fight infection like penicillin

This is by no means an extensive list as the possibility of an immune system reaction to medication is always present.

The initial symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome may seem innocuous enough. Former sufferers that have taken anticonvulsant drugs like Lamictal report initial flu-like symptoms such as an unexplained fever, sore throat, or even a cough.

Later these symptoms morph into overall skin pain, a blistery spreading rash that has a red or purple hue, or hives. Stevens Johnson Syndrome has a tendency to most effect the mucous membranes, so swelling or pain around or in the mouth and eyes is not uncommon.

This skin disorder is painful and can be seriously disfiguring as the top layer of skin often is damaged and sheds. What makes the condition so dangerous is the fact that our skin is one of our key defenses against invading bacteria and viruses. When it is compromised, skin infections that lead to an overall internally toxic condition known as sepsis can happen.

What is the Treatment for Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

In a situation where a person taking Lamictal and Stevens Johnson Syndrome develops as a consequence, the first and most important treatment is removal from all medications not deemed utterly necessary.

This is especially problematic with seizure disorders as rapid withdrawal of these drugs can bring on convulsive states. The process needs to be overseen by a prescribing physician in a controlled environment such as a hospital.

Once the medication trigger is determined, the healing process may take upwards of a year. In extreme cases, according to the Mayo Clinic, skin grafting might be necessary. Skin grafting is a procedure where healthy skin from one area of the body is transplanted to a compromised area to affect healing.

This procedure is often employed when treating burn victims and Stevens Johnson Syndrome is in its effects a burn to the top layer of skin.