A Lamictal case study reported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes a patient’s experience with the life-threatening skin rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
The case involved a 56-year-old woman being treated for depression and anxiety. Due to the severity of her symptoms, Lamictal (lamotrigine) was added to her other antidepressants and within two weeks she showed remarkable improvement. Physicians state that the patient was showing signs of being back to her normal self with the Lamictal drug combination.
However, 16-days later she developed swelling of the face and lips along with blisters inside her mouth, and a rash on her hands and body. After four days, the patient was admitted to the hospital and treated in the Intensive Care Unit as her symptoms got progressively worse.
Medical specialists including an ophthalmologist and dermatologist agreed with the clinical diagnosis of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. The treating physicians had the patient stop taking Lamictal, along with the antidepressants, and she was able to make a full recovery two weeks later.
Lamictal SJS Side Effect
Lamitcal is a widely prescribed treatment for epileptic and bipolar patients. However, the mood-stabilizing medication now carries a U.S. Food and Drug Administration black box warning due to the reported link to SJS. A black box warning is considered the strongest caution that the FDA can assign.
Stevens Johnson Syndrome is considered a dermatological emergency that requires hospitalization in a burn unit or intensive care in order to treat. Initially patients report flu-like symptoms such as chills, body aches and even a fever.
Next, a painful red or purple rash begins to spread across the skin and mucous membranes. This SJS rash causes blisters that eventually lead the top layer of skin to die and shed.
If physicians can contain the rash so that it covers only up to 30 percent of the body, it is referred to as Stevens Johnson Syndrome. If the rash spreads beyond that, then it is medically known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). If Lamictal is suspected, physicians will urge patients to permanently avoid the drug.
An estimated 300 new reports of Stevens Johnson Syndrome occur each year. Lamictal SJS is fatal 15 percent of the time, while a TEN diagnosis carries a 40 percent mortality rate.
In addition to SJS, other Lamictal side effects include:
- Swollen lymph glands
- Severe fatigue or weakness
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Widespread skin pain
- Severe muscle pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Frequent infections
- Hives
- Swelling of the lips or tongue
- Painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
Lamictal SJS Lawsuits
Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an allergic reaction to medication that some patients allege they were not fully warned about. Patients who develop this condition often consider taking legal action against drug manufacturers for failing to warn about the life-threatening side effect.
In general, plaintiffs seek financial compensation in order to financially recover from the high medical costs of treating SJS, including lengthy hospital stays. Plaintiffs also typically ask to be compensated for the pain and suffering that occurs from developing the serious medical condition.
If you developed SJS as a result of taking Lamictal, contact a Lamictal attorney to find out if you have legal claim.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Stevens Johnson Syndrome attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, SJS lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
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Help for Victims of Stevens Johnson Syndrome
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) after taking a prescribed or over-the-counter medication, you may be eligible to take legal action against the drug’s manufacturer. Filing an SJS lawsuit or class action lawsuit may help you obtain compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. Obtain a free and confidential review of your case by filling out the form below.
An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.
- First Name*
- Last Name*
- Street Address*
- Apt. #
- City*
- State*
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific
- Zip Code*
- Phone*
- Email*
- Please list an emergency contact name and phone number:*
- What is the best time to call you?*
- Were you, or a loved one, medically diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis?*
YesNo
- What year(s) were you or your loved one diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis?*
- Please select which symptoms you or your loved one were medically diagnosed with:*
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Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
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Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.
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Not Listed (please detail the symptoms in the comments section if this is selected.)
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No diagnosis/injury
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- ¿Necesita un orador español?
- Yes
- No
- Please enter any additional details you would like the staff reviewing your submission to know.*
- Have you already retained an attorney to file a Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuit or a Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis lawsuit?
NoYes
- I understand and agree that submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and that the information I submit is not confidential or privileged and may be shared.*
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Yes
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The post Lamictal Case Study Includes SJS Skin Rash Side Effect appeared first on Top Class Actions.
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