Tegretol (carbamazepine) is an anticonvulsant that can cause a dangerous Tegretol skin reaction called Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Effective as not only an anticonvulsant, but also as a pain medication, Tegretol decreases nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain.

Unfortunately, Tegretol has been strongly associated with Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Tegretol Skin Reaction Can Be Deadly

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare condition that is often misdiagnosed as the flu.

SJS is actually a severe allergic reaction to medication that begins with a fever and rash, but progresses to blistering, painful skin peeling, open sores, and it can be fatal in 5% to 15% of cases.

In Stevens Johnson Syndrome, the skin experiences an excruciating chemical burn from the inside out.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is similar to Stevens Johnson Syndrome, but TEN victims lose large sheets of skin that come off of the body in addition to painful sores in the mouth, eyes and vagina.

These mucous membranes react the same way the skin does, by filling up with fluid generated by the immune system in a severe allergic reaction to the medication.

When large areas of raw skin are exposed, the chances of the patient developing infection, sepsis (blood infection) and death increase.

A Survivor’s Tale

A 68-year-old man took Tegretol to relieve pain in his jaw. On the second day of taking his medication, he developed a mild fever and general weakness. By the fourth day of treatment, he had developed a rash on his mouth and bubble-like sores on his cheek, neck, forearm and leg.

He went to the emergency room on the fifth day of treatment and was admitted to the hospital with Stevens Johnson Syndrome.

Further investigation revealed he had been prescribed Tegretol the year prior, and had stopped taking it on his own because he had developed a mild Tegretol skin reaction, which was itchy skin.

Hospital staff immediately stopped Tegretol and started the patient on 125 milligrams of prednisolone, the first of five days on the steroid.

The gentleman was discharged from the hospital on the eighth day in generally good condition, but his neck, forearm, and face continued to peel as they healed.

Why Does Tegretol Cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome?

The way Stevens Johnson Syndrome develops is unclear, but the Tegretol skin reaction usually occurs during the first course of drug ingestion.

The condition appears to be a severe allergic reaction that is best treated by withdrawing the offending drug.

Surprisingly, there is not a universally accepted treatment for Stevens Johnson Syndrome other than alleviation of pain and symptoms.

While steroids are sometimes used, they can increase the risk of infection, slow wound healing, or even increase the chance of death.

A health care provider should be consulted if any rash is present, because it is impossible to know what will remain a minor rash and will become a Tegretol skin reaction such as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.