Persons suffering from both epilepsy and bipolar disorder have relied on Lamictal for symptom relief.

In rare cases, some have ended up with either of the dangerous skin conditions Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

Lamictal is manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline’s brand name for lamotrigine. It’s an anti-epileptic medication originally approved by the FDA in 1994 and is now approved as a treatment for various types of seizures that occur with epilepsy, both by itself and in conjunction with other drugs. It’s also used as a treatment for bipolar I disorder to delay the time to mood episodes.

The labeling for Lamictal mentions that serious skin rashes have been reported in conjunction with Lamictal therapy. Though rare, these rashes can be serious enough to threaten the patient’s life by developing into Stevens Johnson syndrome. A few cases advanced to toxic epidermal necrolysis, which has a higher percentage of deaths.

Lamictal and Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Lamictal is one of many drugs that can lead to Stevens Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis. Both are rare, but when they do happen they are more often than not caused as a side effect of some drug, such as Lamictal.

Although SJS and TEN mainly affect the skin, they often at first have symptoms similar to the flu. The patient may first experience cough, body aches, fever, and sometimes issues with the eyes.

Within a few days of the first SJS symptoms, a rash breaks out on the patient’s face and trunk. The areas of rash enlarge, and blisters begin to form in the center. These blisters grow and coalesce into entire areas of skin that come loose and fall off.

The amount of skin affected this way is what makes the difference between SJS and TEN. In SJS, less than 10 percent of the skin area is affected. In TEN, it’s more than 30 percent, and there is some overlap between the two conditions.

Both SJS and TEN can be so damaging to skin that victims sometimes need treatment in a hospital’s burn unit. There is no particular cure for SJS or TEN. Treatment generally addresses symptoms while the body is given time to heal itself.

The harm caused by these diseases is substantial, and it’s not just limited to physical injury. Hospitalization for SJS or TEN can last several weeks or even months, racking up substantial medical expenses at a time when the patient cannot work.