Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anti-seizure drug used to help adults and children with epilepsy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lamictal for the treatment of epilepsy in 1994, and the drug has always included several warnings in its labeling.

The Lamictal label includes a warning about the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), as well as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), a more advanced, severe, and dangerous form of SJS.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis affect an estimated one in 1,000 adults who take Lamictal, but the reactions are more common in children, affecting approximately one in 50. Lamictal is considered to be “strongly associated with the risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis,” especially in children. If symptoms of SJS appear, usage of Lamictal must be stopped right away. The symptoms of Lamictal SJS are very serious, and should be treated immediately.

SJS causes the epidermis, or the top layer of skin, to blister and peel severely and painfully, and in cases of Lamictal SJS, usually occurs just a few weeks after initial usage of Lamictal. These rashes can lead to intense pain, eye problems, secondary skin infection (cellulitis), damage to internal organs, and often significant and disfiguring scarring. SJS symptoms are commonly treated in the hospital burn unit, because the symptoms are so similar to those of burn victims. SJS side effects can lead to life-threatening infections and other dangerous complications.

SJS symptoms include:

• facial swelling
• tongue swelling
• hives
• skin pain
• a red or purple skin rash, spreading within hours to days
• blisters on skin, mouth, nose, and/or eyes
• shedding of skin

Clinical trials reveal that about 10 percent of patients on Lamictal experience some form of rash on their skin shortly after first using Lamictal. Not all of these rashes are associated with SJS, and most are not severe enough to require hospitalization, but awareness of these symptoms is highly encouraged by the medical community.

The difference between SJS and TEN is the severity of the symptoms. TEN has a mortality rate of over 40 percent.

If you or someone you know has experienced SJS or TEN symptoms while using Lamictal, you may have cause for filing a Lamictal SJS class action lawsuit or individual lawsuit. Plaintiffs typically seek compensation for medical expenses and other financial losses.