A Lamictal skin rash reportedly cased a California teenager’s skin to “melt” off as a severe reaction to the multi-purpose drug.

Lamictal is a medication with diverse uses. The drug can be used for the treatment of epilepsy and seizures but is also prescribed for mood swings and bipolar disorder. Lamictal is thought to balance natural substances in the brain to act as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.

Although the drug may be effective in treating certain conditions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked Lamictal with HLH (hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis). HLH is a serious immune system reaction the can lead to complications involving blood cells and vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

HLH is diagnosed if patients have five of the following symptoms: fever and rash; enlarged spleen; cytopenias; elevated levels of triglycerides or low blood levels of fibrinogen; high levels of blood ferrtin; hemophagocytosis identified through bone marrow, spleen, or lymph node biopsy; decreased or absent Natural Killer (NK) cell activity; and elevated blood levels of CD 25 showing prolonged immune cell activation.

Other Lamictal Complications

Lamictal may also cause other complications including Stephen Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS).

Unfortunately, a Lamictal skin rash may turn out to be a more serious condition – as was the case for a California high schooler. Fox 10 reports the 14 year old girl, Ashley, was prescribed Lamictal by her psychiatrist to help control her mood swings.

Ashley reportedly developed Lamictal-induced Steven Johnson Syndrome after taking the drug. SJS is an allergic reaction to a drug that causes the body to initiate an autoimmune response against the skin and mucous membranes. This can result in blisters and skin burns, which may resemble the skin melting off, covering up to 30 percent of the body. Ashley reportedly spend weeks in intensive care to treat the condition and almost died.

“The Medical Board of California saw the story that FOX 11 aired, we will be looking into the circumstances of the treatment,” said the public information manager for the Medical Board, according to Fox 10. “Every time we see a story like that, it’s concerning for us, especially when there’s a physician involved.”

Lawsuit Filed

Ashley and her father David claim that Ashley’s doctor failed to properly warn them of the risks that she would face if taking Lamictal. David was allegedly told that his daughter may get a small red rash on her check resembling “a minor sunburn”, but the doctor did not mention Steven Johnson Syndrome or the other life threatening complications associated with the drug.

As a result of the doctor’s alleged negligence, Ashley and her family have filed a lawsuit. This is the not the first SJS malpractice lawsuit to be filed.

The family’s lawsuit claims that Ashley is suffering long term side effects due to her doctor’s negligence, including disfigured skin, damaged teeth from intubation, potentially affected eyes, and six months of recovery. Even after recovery, Ashley alleges that she may experience residual scarring, discoloration, and disfigurement as a result of her Lamictal skin rash.