The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires significant warnings to patients who take Lamictal. Patients prescribed the drug need to be aware of dangerous side effects of Lamictal.

GlaxoSmithKline’s Lamictal (lamotrigine) is prescribed to prevent seizures and to treat depression, especially depression linked with bipolar disorder. The drug’s mechanism is not completely understood, but Lamictal inhibits certain proteins on nerve cells that transmit electric signals through the brain. This action prevents seizures and is believed to alter brain chemistry in a way that alleviates depression. But the way Lamictal works may have other effects as well.

Serious Side Effects of Lamictal

In patients taking Lamictal, side effects can begin with a rash that can turn into serious and possibly deadly conditions, including:

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH): HLH causes severe inflammation in the entire body. It’s the subject of one of the most recent warnings added to Lamictal’s prescription information.

A patient with a fever higher than 101, enlarged and tender liver, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, jaundice (yellow tint to skin or eyes) or unusual bleeding could be experiencing the onset of HLH. A patient also might experience interference with their nervous system, which can result in seizures, vision issues or problems walking.

HLH symptoms generally begin around 24 days after initiating a Lamictal regimen as low as 25 mg every other day.

Eight cases of HLH have been found around the world. All of the patients had a fever, thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count), and hyperferritinemia (an excessive amount of ferritin, an iron storage protein, built up in the blood).

Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS): DRESS, also known as Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DIHS), starts out as a rash that includes skin eruptions, much like breaking out. Blood tests will identify blood abnormalities. Internal organs become inflamed with DRESS, which can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to present as a reaction to Lamictal.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS): SJS is an allergic reaction to a drug, like Lamictal, that causes blistering and burning of the skin and mucous membranes. It can impact up to 30 percent of the body’s surface area.

Affected areas can include the skin and oral, nasal, eye, genital, urethral, GI and lower respiratory tract mucous membranes, according to the National Institutes of Health. Painful sores can develop for two or three weeks. When lesions break open, they can become infected, which is the greatest risk of SJS.

If SJS is Not Brought Under Control, What Happens?

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is a more advanced case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. TEN patients suffer sores that cover more than 30 percent of the body’s surface area. Skin may peel off in sheets, leaving large areas of raw skin exposed. Because internal mucous membranes can suffer damage as well, patients are at risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, respiratory failure, blindness and urinary tract or genital infections.

What Are Other Possible Lamictal Side Effects?

Patients taking Lamictal may experience weight loss, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, loss of balance, trouble concentrating, double vision or painful menstrual cycles. More side effects of Lamictal may include chest pain, stiff neck, swelling of hands, feet, arms or legs, headache, increased light sensitivity or even passing out.