Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The Guardian has updated a recent health story about the epilepsy treatment oxcarbazepine, also known as Trileptal. According to the report, two serious adverse reactions have been associated with the medication– Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and its more severe form, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The reactions have occurred in both adults and children.

SJS and TEN are hypersensitivity disorders that affect the skin and mucus membranes. It begins as a rash that blisters over, causing the skin to peel off in sheets. The mouth, eyes and other orifices can be affected with blisters as well. The condition can be life-threatening.

Oxcarbazepine is relatively new anti-seizure treatment for epilepsy. It works by blocking the channels that electrical signals use to get into brain cells. According to the update, individuals treated with oxcarbazepine who experienced the reactions had a fever and a rash. Some patients had enlarged lymph nodes and some experienced symptoms such as itchiness and joint pain. The rash usually appeared within three weeks of starting treatment with oxcarbazepine.

More than 200 medications have been linked to SJS and TEN. Many anti-seizure medications have been associated with the severe reactions. Those on oxcarbazepine or any other treatment for epilepsy should contact their doctors immediately if they experience any of the warning signs of SJS or TEN, including raised lumps, flaky skin, swollen face, painful skin, purple blotches, sores on the lips or inside the mouth, or any asthma symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.

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