According to the Epilepsy Foundation, there is a risk of Lamictal Stevens Johnson syndrome for patients taking this anticonvulsant medication.

The Mayo Clinic describes Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) as a rare and serious condition. It is believed to be caused by a disorder of the immune system. Some signs and symptoms of SJS include a purple and painful rash that spreads and blisters, following flu-like symptoms. The rash can eventually cause the most superficial layer of the skin to die and shed, leaving patients at risk of infection.

If you or a loved one have suffered from Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome, you may qualify for the filing of a Lamictal lawsuit.

Overview: Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome

There have been very serious adverse side effects being linked to Lamictal (lamotrigine), prescribed to treat seizures and bipolar disorder. Some of these side effects include:

• Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
• Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
• Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)
• Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DIHS)
• Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)

Other adverse side effects linked to the medication that are not as serious as Lamictal Stevens Johnson syndrome. Some of these also include: blurred vision, chest pain, sleeping problems, dizziness, fatigue, head pain, confusion, constipation, diarrhea, and joint pain, among others.

The development of Lamictal Stevens Johnson syndrome is a very serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention. Before the onset of the disease, experiences may include a fever, sore throat, coughing, and burning eyes. Other symptoms may also include facial swelling, hives, skin pain, blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, and a skin rash that is either purple or red.

The rash that spreads may be followed by the shedding of skin. If this happens, a large portion of skin may have been affected by the development of SJS. To help treat the affected area, patients need to be kept sterile. Although rarely required, skin grafting, or the removal of the portion of skin from one area of the body to treat another, may be used during treatment.

In typical cases the development of Stevens Johnson Syndrome can be a response to infection, illness, and medication. With that said, anticonvulsant medications such as Lamictal have been claimed to cause SJS. There are also secondary complications that can stem from the development of Stevens Johnson syndrome, such as damage to internal organs, permanent skin damage, eye problems, and sepsis.

The exact cause for the development of Stevens Johnson syndrome has not yet been determined, but your physician may request for you to stop taking “nonessential medications” with its development. Patients who developed SJS as a reaction to a medication are advised to avoid ever taking that medication again.