For individuals who suffer from seizures as well as parents who witnessed their children suffering from seizures, medication to control the inappropriate electrical activity in the brain can be a blessing. However, for others, the reactions from a popular anticonvulsant’s use could be more like a curse, such as in cases with Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anti-convulsant medication designed and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. In addition to treating epilepsy, sometimes the medication is also used to help improve mood and relieve symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.

In addition to its approved uses, some physicians also use the drug in an off-label fashion, meaning that they use the drug to treat other conditions that were not necessarily FDA approved. This falls within a physician’s judgment to be able to discern if a medication can potentially help other conditions.

Lamictal is mainly used off-label for the treatment of headaches, migraines, neuropathic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and depersonalization disorder.

As with any prescription medication, Lamictal has a number of side effects associated with its use. Many of the side effects are mild and will disappear after the body gets used to the medication. However, sometimes other side effects may persist. These side effects can include: dizziness, drowsiness, stomach pain, blurry vision, impaired coordination, anxiety, painful periods or vaginitis in women, nausea, mood changes, nightmares and vivid dreams.

The product labeling for Lamictal includes a black box warning. This type of warning is the most serious placed on pharmaceuticals. The black box warning states that there is a risk of individuals developing severe skin reactions including Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

What Is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

Stevens Johnson Syndrome, also referred to as SJS, is an allergic reaction to the drug that initially starts off with flu like symptoms but progresses into the more severe skin involvement phase shortly thereafter. Patients usually report feeling more tired, they complain of a sore throat, chills, fever and often think they are coming down with the flu or other type of virus.

The mucous membranes are often the first to be affected by the blisters that eventually spread to skin areas. The initial blisters may appear in the mouth or eyes or in the genital area. Then the blisters typically spread to skin surfaces.

The blisters are red to purple in color and cause the skin beneath them to die. The dead tissue sloughs off the body, sometimes in sheets if the blisters cover a large area. This exposes the delicate skin underneath, and victims of Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome look as if they had suffered severe burns on their body.

In fact, victims of Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome are often treated in the burn unit of the hospital, or the intensive care unit if there is no burn unity available. Unfortunately, there is no cure for SJS. Hospital personnel undertake measures to keep patients stable and care for their wounds, treat their pain, and to ensure that they are receiving adequate nutrition and hydration. The mortality rate for this condition is between 5 and 15%.

Filing a Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome following the use of Dilantin, Zithromax or Advil, you may be able to seek legal compensation for your injuries. Successful plaintiffs may be eligible to receive awards to compensate for medical and hospital expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of spousal companionship, loss wages and more.

An attorney familiar with the intricacies of filing a Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit can review your case at no charge and can help provide you with a summary of legal options should you choose to pursue them.