Lamcital is one of America’s most preferred anti-epileptic medications, but it has been linked to a number of Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) cases.

In a recent case of Lamictal SJS as reported by the Chicago Tribune, Becki C. had been prescribed Lamictal and another medication to treat her severe anxiety. Not long after taking the drugs, Becki developed flu symptoms and sharp pain in her chest.

When painful rashes started to develop, Becki was quickly taken to the emergency room where different treatment methods were tried. Even though she was eventually diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome, the Lamictal rash had left her unrecognizable by that point.

She was covered in blistered from her eyelids to the inside of her lungs. Like other cases of Stevens Johnson Syndrome, her skin would peel off with minimal contact and she was in danger for further infection.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an extremely rare allergic skin reaction, specifically caused by one or more medications. It begins with flu like symptoms, as seen with Becki, and then quickly spirals into the red or purple skin lesions.

Overview of SJS Drug Combination Reactions

There are a number of drugs indicated to cause an SJS reaction, with Lamictal included. Lamictal SJS has been a concern almost right after the drug received FDA approval in the 1990s, with the agency even giving the drug a black box warning against Lamictal rash.

Becki filed legal action against the medical professional involved prescribing Lamictal, stating they should have known the dangers with the anti-seizure drug. However Becki’s case of Lamictal SJS is not unique, in the fact that her physician and pharmacist were unaware of the potentially fatal drug interaction.

Studies indicate prescribing physicians often are not aware of the side effects linked harmful drug combinations involving Lamictal, and that pharmacists often default to the discretion of the doctor.

Research also indicates that doctors consider the risk of serious side effects when writing prescriptions, their specific knowledge is generally poor. For an extremely rare and specific risk like Lamictal SJS, it is an unlikely discussion topic between patient and physician.

In a 2008 study, researchers asked 950 prescribing physicians to classify different drug combinations by the danger of the risk.

Over a third of the prescribing physicians stated “not sure” for half of the drug combination pairs, while less than 25% could identify three of the four highest risk drug combinations.

According to Dr. Alfred George of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, students are often not trained in drug interactions due to time constraints and other variables.

With the rising number of severe drug reactions, medical experts are now encouraging patients to educate themselves on the potential harm prescription drugs could inflict before agreeing to take them. For patients who are already taking prescription medications, they should consult with their physicians to discuss the risks.

Patients who have already suffered Stevens Johnson Syndrome after taking Lamictal, or other medications may be eligible to file legal action.