When patients take Lamictal for the prevention of seizures and epileptic episodes, they do not expect to suffer from a rare but serious condition: lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Lamictal, or lamotrigine, is an anticonvulsant medication which is used to treat epileptic seizures in children and adults. It can also be used to help adults who have bipolar disorder or manic depression.

However, lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome has been a concern for those who take this drug.

Lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome is rare. It can occur in 8 in 1,000 pediatric patients and 3 in 1,000 adult patients. Though the rate of occurrence for this condition is low, the condition is so severe that patients need to be aware of the risk.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a dangerous but rare reaction to certain medications. It typically attacks the skin and mucous membranes. It’s a particularly painful and debilitating condition that exposes the patient to potentially deadly infections and may require weeks or months of hospitalization to treat successfully.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome most often occurs as a reaction to medication. Lamotrigine is one of many medications that have been connected to this condition.

It is recommended that after beginning Lamictal, if you suspect you may be suffering from lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you should seek medical help immediately. At the outset, symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome resemble symtpoms of the flu.

Symptoms to watch for include fever, sore throat, swelling in the face and tongue, burning in the eyes, skin pain or any kind of red or purple skin rash.

After these initial symptoms, brightly colored peeling blisters appear over large portions of body. The epidermis begins to separate from the dermis because cell death has begun to occur. During lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome, the patient’s skin begins to slough off in large layers making the patient highly vulnerable to infection.

Lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome works hard to attack other areas of the body as well including the eyes and mouth. Lesions can form inside the nose, mouth, respiratory and digestive tracts, making breathing and eating significantly painful.

Permanent scarring may occur in the mucous membranes and severe eye complications can ensue. Patients often suffer from conjunctivitis, corneal blisters and scarring, and possibly permanent blindness when experiencing lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

This is a very serious condition and if someone taking Lamictal thinks they may be suffering from lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome, they should seek medical help because it can turn into an even more serious condition known as toxic epidermal necrolysis, or TEN. Both Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis can be deadly.

If you or someone you love has suffered from lamotrigine induced Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you may be entitled to legal compensation.