More than 200 medications have been associated with SJS/TEN, most commonly antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and medication to treat seizures. SJS/TEN presents as a rash on the skin that blisters over and causes the skin to peel away much like that of a burn victim. Blisters can form in the mouth, on the eyes, and on internal organs, leading to dehydration, ocular problems including blindness, and in more severe cases, death.

Lamictal ODT was recently approved for use in the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg strengths. The medication is expected to be available to consumers this month. Lamictal ODT matches the dosage of Lamictal tablets. Lamictal tablets carry the same warning of SJS/TEN.

Source: Monthly Prescribing Reference

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Epilepsy, bipolar drug linked to rare skin reaction

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant drug to treat partial seizures, primary and secondary tonic-clonic seizures in epilepsy and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It also is FDA-approved to treat bipolar disorder.

Peer View cited a session presented at the American Epilepsy Society’s annual meeting, which detailed a study, conducted between January 2000 and December 2007, involving 403 children treated with lamotrigine in addition to existing therapy. Twenty-one of the children in the study experienced adverse skin reactions including moderate diffuse mascular-papular or erythematous rash, severe urticarial skin eruption and mild Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

There were no cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a severe form of SJS, however the medication has a black box warning about life threatening skin reactions, including SJS and TEN. The manufacturer says the reactions usually occur in the first 2 to 8 weeks of therapy and if medication is suddenly stopped and then resumed at its regular dosage.

According to Rx List, the incidence of these serious skin rashes in response to therapy for epilepsy is about 8 in 1,000 in pediatric patients younger than 16 years of age and about 3 in 1,000 in adults. For treatment of bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, the rate is about 1.3 to 8 in 1,000 for adults.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Risk factors may indicate serious skin reaction to lamotrigine