Lamictal (lamotrigine) is used to treat epileptic conditions and bipolar disorder in certain patients.
However, individuals who use the drug need to be aware of the potential for serious complications, including a medication reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
What is Lamictal?
Lamictal is a prescription medication that has been prescribed to treat epileptic seizures for more than 15 years. In addition to its mood stabilizing abilities, Lamictal has antidepressant effects as well, that have been prescribed for bipolar or manic depressive patients.
First approved by the FDA in 1994 and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Lamictal has been linked to a wide range of serious side effects and illnesses.
Based on clinical trials, approximately 10 percent of patients taking the medication experienced a Lamictal rash on some area of their bodies. Although most of the time, a Lamictal rash is not cause for medical concern, in some rare instances, the seemingly mild rash may be cause for immediate concern as it could be Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).
What is Stevens Johnson Syndrome?
Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a rare yet potentially fatal allergic medication reaction believed to be triggered by certain drugs, including over-the-counter pain relievers and epilepsy medications, including Lamictal.
Initially, SJS presents with flu-like symptoms, and these are followed by a painful, blistering SJS rash which is red or purple in color. Open sores caused by the blisters leaves patients very vulnerable to infection, and the SJS rash is so severe that patients are often treated in hospital burn units.
The pain caused by an SJS rash is such that patients have described it as feeling as though they were “burning from the inside out.” If the SJS rash covers more than 30 percent of a patient’s body, the condition has progressed into Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which is often fatal.
Patients who are diagnosed with TEN or SJS caused by Lamictal often exhibit non-specific symptoms initially, including fever, headache, cough and body aches. Within a few days to a few weeks, Lamictal SJS sufferers will begin to develop the distinguishable reddish or purplish rash that can eventually result in the formation of blisters or pustules.
The blisters or lesions typically affect the sensitive tissue surrounding the eyes, membranes and genital area. As the symptoms of the Lamictal rash worsen, the top layers of skin may begin to die and eventually separate. Patients with SJS or TEN may also experience fingernail or hair loss.
In addition to the possibility of shock or infection, Lamictal SJS sufferers are also susceptible to other serious health complications. Patients may also develop cellulitis or experience permanent skin damage or scarring.
Some patients may also develop inflammation of the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys caused by the formation of lesions on these organs. If TEN or SJS blisters are clustered around the eyes, some patients may also experience permanent vision loss.
Lamictal SJS Lawsuits
Patients who were diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis after using Lamictal may be entitled to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages as well as pain and suffering through filing a SJS lawsuit. Because Stevens Johnson Syndrome is so rare, many drug makers failed to warn of this potential medication reaction on their labels.
Victims who file SJS lawsuits claim that if they had been warned of the potential for Stevens Johnson Syndrome, they may have recognized the condition earlier and stopped use of the medication that caused it.
In general, plaintiffs also state that they would have known to seek prompt medical attention for their seemingly mild Lamictal rash or other side effects before their condition worsened.
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
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- 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?*
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- 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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- 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?
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