Lamictal May Cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) & TEN

What is Lamictal?

Lamictal is the trade name of the drug lamotrigine. This drug is produced by GlaxoSmithKline. Like many drugs that treat issues with the brain, Lamictal has found multiple uses. It is an anticonvulsant, but is also approved to treat bipolar disorder, and occasionally used “off-label” to treat depression. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved the drug as a mood stabilizer — the first approved since Lithium over 30 years ago.

Lamictal belongs to a different family of chemicals than most other seizure medications, as it is a phenyltriazine. This makes it less likely to interact with other drugs than other seizure medications. However, Lamictal may cause serious reaction on its own.  

Lamictal works by selectively blocking sodium channels in regions of the brain. This can suppress seizure activity and other problems caused by misfiring in this part of the brain.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome

Unfortunately, some people who took Lamictal went on to develop serious reactions. These included Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). These disorders can be life-threatening.

In these disorders, the patient has a dangerous skin reaction to various medications. In SJS, generalized, flu-like symptoms present first. These include aches, fever, and a general feeling of fatigue. Doctors often mistake these initial symptoms of Lamictal Stevens Johnson Syndrome for other illness. Once the disease progresses, patients may develop ulcers and blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. These can make feeding difficult, and may even endanger the life of the patient.

Some very severe cases of SJS, the condition can worsen to become toxic epidermal necrolysis. In TEN, the patient’s skin begins to slough off. This damage to the skin is so severe it can resemble third-degree burns. Often, patients with TEN must be treated in the burn wards of Intensive Care Units. The loss of such large amounts of skin can cause serious scarring, dehydration, and leaves patients vulnerable to secondary infections.

Additionally, this same type of damage occurs in the delicate mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. The inflammation and secondary infections of the respiratory pathway can cause respiratory distress and kill the patient. Between 30 and 40 percent of patients who develop TEN can die from this disorder. To put this in perspective, some strains of Ebola have lower mortality rates.

This risk of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis may increase when Lamictal is combined with valproate.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome Lawsuits Mount

Numerous lawsuits have been filed by patients who suffered from SJS and TEN and their survivors. These SJS lawsuits allege that drug companies knew, or should have known, about the risk of these serious, life-threatening disorders. The lawsuits further allege that manufacturers downplayed the risks associated with their products, which prevented prescribing physicians and patients from having the information they needed to make an informed decision regarding treatment.

If you or a loved one suffered from SJS or TEN after taking Lamictal, you may feel powerless. But you do have rights, and you can take steps to take back control of your situation. You can start by visiting the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Here, you can enter your information for a free review by a SJS lawyer who specializes in this type of lawsuit. If you have a case, you can receive guidance on the next steps to take.