Lamictal Rash Pictures

What is a lamictal rash?

Lamotrigine, popularly known as lamictal is a drug used to treat neurologic disorders such as neuropathic pain, epilepsy, depression, and bipolar disorder.

Unfortunately, some people develop a hypersensitivity reaction to lamictal. It leads to the formation of rash and other undesirable symptoms. ^{(1, 2, and 3)}

Lamictal rash symptoms

Lamictal rash symptoms are typically mild and do not possess any danger. However, if left unmanaged could lead to serious complications. Some of the clinical manifestations include the following:

• itching and burning sensation
• swelling
• hives
• flu-like symptoms ⁽⁴⁾
• the rashes are red and fine and widely spaced
• the rashes occur in exposed areas of the body such as the face, neck, upper trunk, mouth, and tongue. Sometimes, the rashes are present in the anal and genital region.
• the rashes usually resolve after 10 days.
• joint and muscle pain
• swollen lymph nodes
• body malaise and discomfort ⁽³⁾

The rashes usually occur five days to eight weeks after initiating lamictal treatment. If the rashes occur, the doctor orders to stop the drug and think of other alternative treatment. ⁽⁴⁾

What causes lamictal rash?

The exact cause of lamictal rash is not clear but is linked with a high initial dose of lamictal. Medical practitioners strongly advised lowering the initial dose of lamictal. A rash is most likely to occur in patients with a hypersensitivity reaction to lamictal. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to the composition of the drug. Another factor that triggers lamictal rash is taking valproic acid. Other factors that put you at risk for lamictal rash include the following:

• Children are more prone to having a hypersensitivity reaction to lamictal than adults.
• People with untoward side effects to epileptic drugs are more likely to develop lamictal rash.
• Those who have a family history of drug hypersensitivity increases the chance of having lamictal rash.
• Rapid dose escalation increases the possibility of lamictal rash. ^{(4, 5, and 6)}

How to get rid of lamictal rash?

What is the appropriate treatment for lamictal rash? A mild form of lamictal rash usually goes away on its own as the dose of the drug is tapered down. It is strongly advised to lower the initial dose of lamictal so that untoward side effects and adverse reactions will be prevented. If the rashes continue to persist, then the drug should be stopped right away. The doctor might prescribe an antihistamine or an oral corticosteroid to counteract the rashes. For severe rashes, the doctor might perform other testing procedures to check if other parts of the body are affected. To prevent the possibility of having a lamictal rash, the initial dose should be kept to a minimum thereby giving the body an ample time to adjust the composition of the drug. ^{(7, 8, ,9, and 10)}

References

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/lamictal-rash
2. https://www.rxlist.com/lamictal-drug.htm
3. https://www.verywellmind.com/lamictal-rash-warning-380256
4. https://www.epilepsy.com/connect/forums/medication-issues/lamictal-rash
5. http://psycheducation.org/treatment/mood-stabilizers/the-big-three-for-bipolar-depression/lamotrigine-lamictal/details-on-the-lamotrigine-rash/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1201641/
7. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/318990-worried-lamictal-rash-symptoms/
8. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1157.1999.tb00807.x/pdf
9. http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamictal-rash.html
10. https://www.livestrong.com/article/201950-early-signs-of-stevens-johnson-syndrome/