A rash caused by the anticonvulsant Lamictal may be the sign of a more serious reaction known as drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome.

Lamictal (also known by its generic name, lamotrigine) is an epilepsy drug used to treat seizures as well as for maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder. When used as a bipolar treatment, it can delay mood episodes such as depression, mania, and hypomania. New reports suggest that the drug may be related to serious skin conditions such as drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome, which patients may first experience as a rash.

Drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome, also known as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), is a severe reaction to medication which affects several organ systems. The condition is fairly rare but has been observed in patients who develop a rash caused by Lamictal. Other medications with a known link to this reaction include anti-epilepsy drugs, gout medication allopurinol, and a group of antibiotics.

The cause of drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome can be difficult to pinpoint due to the latency period between drug administration and the reaction. There is typically a two- to eight-week latency period between original drug treatment and the onset of the reaction. Due to this length latency period, in 10 percent of cases the medication which caused the reaction is never identified.

A rash may be the first symptom that patients experience. Other symptoms may follow in the days and weeks after onset. Symptoms of drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome may include high fever, inflammation of internal organs, severe rash, blood level abnormalities, and swollen lymph nodes. The type of rash will vary between individuals, but skin eruption, lesions, blisters, pustules, dermatitis, and swelling have all been recorded.

Individuals who present with a and are found to have drug induced hypersensitivity should be treated by a doctor. Common treatment of the condition includes systematic steroids, intravenous fluids, topical treatment of the rash, and possibly antibiotics should an additional infection occur.

Although drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome is fatal only eight percent of the time, complications can occur which lead to death. Potentially fatal complications include liver failure, multiorgan failure, inflammation of the heart muscle, and conditions affecting the bone marrow.

Drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome is not the only advere reaction recorded with Lamictal. Other Lamictal side effects include blurred vision, chest pain, sleeping problems, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, confusion, constipation, diarrhea, joint pain, and other dangerous skin reactions.

Other potential skin reactions stemming from a rash caused by Lamictal include Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Essentially, Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a skin and mucous membrane disorder that begins with flu-like symptoms, and moves on to a painful and colored rash, and is followed by blisters and shedding of the skin. SJS is dangerous and usually requires hospitalization, and recovery can take months. SJS can be caused by infection or even certain medications. SJS can lead to serious pain, eye problems, secondary skin infection, and internal organ damage.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a related condition, and is essentially a more severe form of SJS, with a higher risk of permanent injury or death.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an immune system reaction that generally comes with a persistent fever (typically over 101°F), and can cause severe issues with the liver, kidneys, and lungs. The FDA issued a warning about HLH and its association with the use of Lamictal on April 25, 2018. The FDA also includes a list of serious symptoms that may indicate HLH.

If you experience a rash after taking Lamictal, use caution and observe your symptoms. In many cases, these rashes may clear up on their own. In other cases, they may be evidence of something more serious or permanent in nature.

Dangerous skin conditions can be frightening and confusing, especially if the patient wasn’t adequately warned about them. Individuals who experienced dangerous skin reactions after taking Lamictal may be eligible for legal action against the drug’s manufacturer.

A Lamictal lawsuit could aim to hold manufacturers accountable for failing to properly warn about complications. Damages recovered by a Lamictal lawsuit could help recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be daunting, so Top Class Actions has connected you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.