Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 58876

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Lamictal rash side effect

Posted by Reza Samavi on April 6, 2001, at 1:17:35

Dear sir,
First of all thank you for this oppurtunity for all epileptic patients.
My father, had serious epileptic problems for more than 30 years. He is 70 years old now. Five years ago his doctor controled the disease by Sodium Valpurate. For one year it was completely under control, but the attacks (not serious as before) returned. The doctor started Lamictal with 25 mg /day for 2 weeks and then increased to 50 mg/day. Everything for last 30 months was completely OK and under control. There was not any side effects. But the first sign of rashes started about 2 months ago in his back and stomach, but now it is a little more serious. I can see the rash on his face as well.
His doctor is no available now, and I don't now we should stop Lamictal or continue.
His daily dozage is as follows:
Morning:
25 mg Lamictal
200 mg Sodium valpurate
1 tablet Clonazepam
evening:
25 mg Lamictal
200 mg Sodium valpurate
1 tablet Clonazepam

Would you please send your comments to my email:
r_samavi@hotmail.com

Your prompt reply is really appreciated.
Best Regards
Reza Samavi

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect

Posted by SalArmy4me on April 6, 2001, at 2:45:22

In reply to Lamictal rash side effect, posted by Reza Samavi on April 6, 2001, at 1:17:35

I don't know if the rash that he got is serious or even came from the Lamictal itself. But in gneeral, the fears over Lamictal (lamotrigine) rashes are unfounded. The chance of having a mild to moderate rash are 3%--according to clinical trials. But clinical trials done years ago do not necessarily predict the incidence of side-effects now. Besides, most of these rashes were due to taking a combination of Valproate and Lamictal, and they resolve without hospital stays. I believe that the chance of a seizure from Wellbutrin is much higher, and the chance of a hypertensive crisis with phenelzine is a little higher.

The chance of having a severe rash leading to hospitalization is reported as 0.3%. With those odds, it is easier to get hit by
lightening than it is to have a Lamictal rash. Point in case: You never hear in the paper about someone severely harmed
by Lamictal.

I have taken Lamictal for one year with a moderate benefit and absolutely no side-effects. I believe that Lamictal will replace Lithium as the drug of choice in bipolar disorder in 10 years, due to its prominent antidepressant effect and benign side-effect profile.

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect

Posted by ShelliR on April 6, 2001, at 8:16:38

In reply to Lamictal rash side effect, posted by Reza Samavi on April 6, 2001, at 1:17:35

> Dear sir,
> First of all thank you for this oppurtunity for all epileptic patients.
> My father, had serious epileptic problems for more than 30 years. He is 70 years old now. Five years ago his doctor controled the disease by Sodium Valpurate. For one year it was completely under control, but the attacks (not serious as before) returned. The doctor started Lamictal with 25 mg /day for 2 weeks and then increased to 50 mg/day. Everything for last 30 months was completely OK and under control. There was not any side effects. But the first sign of rashes started about 2 months ago in his back and stomach, but now it is a little more serious. I can see the rash on his face as well.
> His doctor is no available now, and I don't now we should stop Lamictal or continue.
> His daily dozage is as follows:
> Morning:
> 25 mg Lamictal
> 200 mg Sodium valpurate
> 1 tablet Clonazepam
> evening:
> 25 mg Lamictal
> 200 mg Sodium valpurate
> 1 tablet Clonazepam
>
> Would you please send your comments to my email:
> r_samavi@hotmail.com
>
> Your prompt reply is really appreciated.
> Best Regards
> Reza Samavi

When I took lamictal my doctor told me if I got a significant rash, and she was not available, to go right to an emergency room. I think it is extremely important for your father to get his rash checked out. Take him to a new doctor, or clinic or to the emergency room. It is much better to be safe than sorry. Shelli

 

Re: Lamictal rash - Reza

Posted by KarenB on April 6, 2001, at 13:18:02

In reply to Re: Lamictal rash side effect, posted by ShelliR on April 6, 2001, at 8:16:38

Dear Reza,

If the rash has persisted for two months, I say get him to a doctor ASAP. It probably is from the Lamictal. I am trialing it right now and am at 75mg and have had a mild rash since yesterday, when I increased to 75mg from 50mg. It's mostly a "flushing" of my skin though, and seems at this point nothing to worry about. If it gets worse, though, a call to my doc is definitely in order.

I had the worst headache I've ever had in my life last night, immediately after my dosing and didn't sleep AT ALL but I am still willing to hang in there with it to see if these side effects will subside. From now on, I'll be taking it in the a.m. It is supposed to be the drug of choice for rapid cycling, mixed state Bipolar Disorder and I can't afford not to give it my best shot.

Has the rash become worse, is it "raised," or has it pretty much stayed the same?

Oh, BTW SalArmy - I am thankful that there is NOT a better than 3% chance of getting struck by lightning or I'd stay inside. I think if you wrap your head in aluminum foil and climb a tree during a thunderstorm, THEN there may be a 3% chance. I don't think I'll be trying that. How bout you?

Karen

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect: attn Dr.Bob :( » Reza Samavi

Posted by Sulpicia on April 6, 2001, at 14:02:07

In reply to Lamictal rash side effect, posted by Reza Samavi on April 6, 2001, at 1:17:35

> Reza --
Please take your father to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.
My daughter takes lamictal and got a minor version of this rash. The doctors
here in the U.S. took this VERY seriously. Since your father is also on valproic
acid, there is even more reason for concern since this raises the level of lamictal
in the blood. It's probably dangerous to stop the drugs so you must find a doctor.

The rash can kill you. It's rare but not as rare as the earlier poster suggests.
Here are some suggestions for you or the doctor to search for; there are some very
good dermatology sites on the net --especially at Johns Hopkins University.
the name of the rash is erythema multiforme
if it progresses, it may cause Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
it can progress to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Layperson speak: your skin sheds and you die.
Prednisone [5days, stepdown dosing] helped my daughter;
I don't know to what extent it was related to the fact
that she had a mild rash -- which by the way scared
the doctors to death.
Most docs don't know what to look for in the rash.
I believe their is a contact number to telephone the manufacturer
of Lamictal, on their web site?

This is extremely frustrating because I'm not on my own computer
and I can't put up the links for all the research I did for my daughter.

Please get your father to a doctor, and if need be, tell them what
the problem might be.
Sending good thoughts.
S.

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect » Reza Samavi

Posted by Sunnely on April 6, 2001, at 16:14:02

In reply to Lamictal rash side effect, posted by Reza Samavi on April 6, 2001, at 1:17:35

Hi Reza,

Any kind of rash that develops on a person while on lamotrigine (Lamictal) should be called to the attention of his prescribing doctor, IMMEDIATELY. If his doctor is not available, ask for the covering physician. If there is no physician providing coverage, take your father to the nearest emergency room.

Lamictal rash can progress into a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). The risk of SJS with the use of Lamictal increases when combined with divalproex sodium or valproic acid (Depakene or Depakene).

Don't delay. Get medical help immediately. Time is the essence.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> Dear sir,
> First of all thank you for this oppurtunity for all epileptic patients.
> My father, had serious epileptic problems for more than 30 years. He is 70 years old now. Five years ago his doctor controled the disease by Sodium Valpurate. For one year it was completely under control, but the attacks (not serious as before) returned. The doctor started Lamictal with 25 mg /day for 2 weeks and then increased to 50 mg/day. Everything for last 30 months was completely OK and under control. There was not any side effects. But the first sign of rashes started about 2 months ago in his back and stomach, but now it is a little more serious. I can see the rash on his face as well.
> His doctor is no available now, and I don't now we should stop Lamictal or continue.
> His daily dozage is as follows:
> Morning:
> 25 mg Lamictal
> 200 mg Sodium valpurate
> 1 tablet Clonazepam
> evening:
> 25 mg Lamictal
> 200 mg Sodium valpurate
> 1 tablet Clonazepam
>
> Would you please send your comments to my email:
> r_samavi@hotmail.com
>
> Your prompt reply is really appreciated.
> Best Regards
> Reza Samavi

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect: attn Dr.Bob :(

Posted by Noa on April 9, 2001, at 22:51:55

In reply to Re: Lamictal rash side effect: attn Dr.Bob :( » Reza Samavi, posted by Sulpicia on April 6, 2001, at 14:02:07

I agree--get the rash checked out IMMEDIATELY!! Although it is relatively rare, it can be a sign of a severe reaction to the lamictal, and should be examined by a doctor right away.

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect is steven johnson

Posted by john bower on December 15, 2001, at 9:08:52

In reply to Re: Lamictal rash side effect, posted by SalArmy4me on April 6, 2001, at 2:45:22

check http://www.interlog.com/~zzzz/guest_book.htm
for steven johnson's syndrome.

this is what rash leads to (I hear) if not checked by
the doctor.

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect is steven johnson

Posted by svevo1922 on December 15, 2001, at 20:23:08

In reply to Re: Lamictal rash side effect is steven johnson , posted by john bower on December 15, 2001, at 9:08:52

can't find the post i made on this topic recently, but i got that rash and my doctor had to call the emergency room of the local teaching hospital. the rash can be the start of two very serious conditions, one of which is often fatal. i stopped the medication the day i saw the doctor but the day after or the day after that ran a 104% fever and had other serious flu-like symptoms for a week. I also have a small discoloration on my face because of the rash.

I've seen posts that suggest that the rash is to be ignored or not to be taken seriously. Not at all.

> check http://www.interlog.com/~zzzz/guest_book.htm
> for steven johnson's syndrome.
>
> this is what rash leads to (I hear) if not checked by
> the doctor.

 

Re: Lamictal rash side effect is steven johnson » john bower

Posted by Cam W. on December 15, 2001, at 20:48:53

In reply to Re: Lamictal rash side effect is steven johnson , posted by john bower on December 15, 2001, at 9:08:52

John - Approximately 1 in 10 people taking Lamictal™ (lamotrigine) will experience a rash, while 1 in 1000 may get Steven-Johnson Syndrome. I think that the numbers are much lower than these figures in 2001, primarily because most docs are increasing the dosage more slowly, and Lamictal is seldom prescribed to children, anymore.

Most of the rash problems were seen in people who had their dose raised too fast, and in young children. It is no longer recommended for those younger than 12 years.

I would be concerned about any rash that occurs while taking Lamictal. Researchers are now saying that the true incidence of SJS in adults is probably 1 in 10,000; someone is that "one". I would have any rash that develops when starting Lamictal checked out. The doc may want to stop the drug until the rash clears up, and then restart it at a lower dose, raising the dose more slowly.

Everyone is different, but definitely, not all rashes that occur while taking Lamictal lead to SJS.

IMO - Cam


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