Specialized law firms are investigating potential claims of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), allegedly caused by Lamictal.

This popular anticonvulsant has been accused of causing severe allergic reactions and has been reported several times for allegedly causing SJS symptoms.

Manufactured and sold by GlaxoSmithKline, Lamictal (Lamotrigine) was approved by the FDA in 1994 to be a treatment option for major forms of epilepsy. It has, however, garnered negative attention for its alleged association with Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is an extremely rare allergic reaction specifically caused by one or more medications, and is often associated with red or purple skin lesions. These skin lesions can cover up to 30% of skin surface area, and can result in permanent vision damage, internal organ damage, skin damage, and possibly death.

SJS can worsen to the more severe form of this condition, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which can consume up to 90% of skin surface area. Both TEN and SJS can have potentially fatal consequences, but are seldom mentioned on drug labels due to the rarity of these conditions.

Overview of Stevens Johnson Syndrome Concerns

While many medications have been alleged to cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a study from the January 2009 issue of Pediatrics indicates that there is a link between SJS and Lamitcal. This study was conducted to evaluate the risks different medications presented to children, and recorded any SJS or TEN occurrences.

This study pooled data from 80 cases with 216 matched controls and two international studies: the severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR) study and the multinational severe cutaneous adverse reaction (EuroSCAR) study, which were conducted throughout Europe.

All of the patients were under 15 years of age, with the data indicating that Lamictal had a strong association with Stevens Johnson Syndrome. By the end of the study, the researchers concluded that Lamictal and three other medications carried a strong risk of SJS and TEN.

Additional evidence from clinical trials show that approximately 10% of all Lamictal patients experience rash formations over their bodies, one of the most infamous SJS symptoms.

Due to the fact that Stevens Johnson Syndrome is so rare, many physicians fail to recognize early signs of the condition. Patients often experience flu-like symptoms within the first two to eight weeks of starting the medication, and then start experiencing throat swelling, skin rashes, and other allergic symptoms.

Patients can deteriorate very quickly under both TEN and SJS symptoms, so medical intervention should be made as soon as possible. SJS patients are often treated in hospital burn units, due to the need of skin grafts.

There is a Black Box Warning for Lamictal SJS, but it does not mention TEN having a 40% mortality rate.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is estimated to effect one in 1,000 adult patients and one in 50 children. GlaxoSmithKline has received numerous complaints regarding Lamictal SJS, with many of them from patients who survived the ordeal.