Lamictal Linked to Reports of Severe Skin Disorders
By Amanda Antell
Lamictal is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, and is also used as an off-label treatment for depression. For epilepsy, Lamictal is used to treat focal seizures, primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Like many other anticonvulsants, Lamictal also seems to act as an effective mood stabilizer, and has been the first FDA-approved drug since lithium. However, no drug is without its potential dangers.
According to a recent report from The Lompoc Record, 17-year-old Gabrielle Corral was hospitalized in November after taking Lamictal. She required intensive care after a painful rash developed behind her ears, lips and inside her mouth. Her condition was soon diagnosed as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
Her doctors believed that Corral had a severe allergic reaction to her Lamictal medication, which developed into Stevens Johnson Syndrome. This left Corral in terrible pain, unable to see, speak or swallow. Luckily, the teen is now out of the hospital and back in school after a number of life-saving surgeries and various skin replacements implanted. Unfortunately, she is not the only case of Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome that has been reported.
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Lamictal is available worldwide and a popularly used product by many epileptic patients. However, there are several risks and side effects of Lamictal to be aware of, including the following skin reactions:
- Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS)
- DRESS syndrome
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN)
Patients should medical help if any kind of skin rash or lesion appears on their body as this could be a sign of an allergic reaction, a stepping-stone for Steven Johnson Syndrome.
Steven Johnson Syndrome is a life-threatening skin condition that causes the patient’s skin to literally decompose and slough off their body. This condition normally starts out as a skin rash with flu-like symptoms. Though lesser skin reactions may occur with Lamictal use, most will not go on to become Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
Symptoms of Lamictal SJS include:
- A quickly-spreading purple or red rash
- Widespread skin pain
- Swelling of the face and/or tongue
- Blisters on mucus membranes, especially in the mouth, nose or eyes (may also occur in the genital area)
- Hives
- Shedding of skin
Please talk to your doctor immediately if you develop any abnormal skin reaction from Lamictal. Other symptoms of SJS may begin several days before the rash appears, and may pass themselves off as a simple flu-like illness with symptoms such as headache, fever, sore throat, cough, burning eyes, diarrhea, and vomiting. If these symptoms occur followed by a skin rash, contact your doctor immediately.
If you believe you or a loved one developed a severe allergic reaction to Lamictal, visit the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. You may have a legal claim to seek compensation from the drug manufacturer. Submit your information for a free legal review from an attorney who specializes in SJS and drug injury lawsuits. These attorneys do not get paid unless you do, giving them extra incentive to fight for your rights.
Updated April 30th, 2013
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