Lamictal May Cause Life-Threatening Skin Reactions

Some individuals have developed SJS – and its even more lethal form toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) – after taking the popular epilepsy drug Lamictal. Lamictal is the trade name of Lamotrigine. Like many drugs that treat problems originating in the brain, Lamictal has proven effective against mood disorders like bipolar disorder. The drug is manufactured and distributed by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are still something of a mystery to scientists. Large-scale retrospective studies in Germany and France have shed some light on the etiology of this disease, but many questions remain. Three out of four patients who develop SJS develop the reaction in response to medications like Lamictal. These life-threatening reactions appear to strike males and female in roughly the same proportion.

Disturbingly, these reactions have very high mortality rates, despite modern medical care. In fact, modern medicine is not certain how to treat SJS and TEN, beyond palliative care. Palliative care consists of treating the symptoms of the disease, and making the patient comfortable while their body works through the reaction.

Roughly 10 percent of patients who develop SJS die from the reaction. This is approximately the same case-fatality rate as the SARS virus. However, this only refers to normal cases of SJS.

In some cases, Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome escalates to a condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis. TEN is a much more severe reaction than SJS. The damage to the body starts to resemble physical burns. In fact, doctors usually treat TEN patients in the burn wards of ICUs since many of the same concerns arise as the patient’s skin sloughs off. TEN has an even higher case fatality-rate, approaching 50%. To put this in perspective, the dreaded Hantavirus, the only level four pathogen native to North America, has the same mortality rate.

The damage from SJS and TEN is painful, debilitating, and can be disfiguring. The skin and mucous membranes (e.g., the inside of the mouth or eyeballs) develop a painful rash, which progresses to ulcers and sores. In many cases, the reaction occurs on the vulnerable tissues of the eye. These sores can result in disfiguring scars, and even blindness. Additionally, the sores and ulcers leave the patient vulnerable to secondary infection.

If you, or someone you know, suffered from SJS or TEN after taking Lamictal, you may feel overwhelmed. In addition to the strain of recovery and coping with permanent complications, you may not know what steps to take next. But you can start by visiting the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Here, you can enter your information. You will receive a free evaluation by a lawyer specializing in this type of situation. From here, you can receive additional guidance on the next steps to take in your specific situation.