Lamictal Rash

Hi,

Some of you may know that I have had a horrible blistered rash with hives on my face for almost a month now. The rash has spread to my hands, and is made much worse by being in heat and getting chemicals like chlorinated water or even lotion on them.

I've been to two general practioners. Both gave me different dx's and prescribed exact opposite medications. There has been no improvement with either course of medicine.

Today I went for a regular pdoc visit. She looked at me and asked how I was feeling. I told her I was physically fine except for the rash. During our conversation, she kept coming back to the topic of the the rash.

My pdoc told me the rash is because of lamictal. I have taken lamictal with excellent results for more than two years. I knew a person could get a dangerous rash from it, but I thought it only occured when a patient started taking it. I was wrong.

During any time in the course of taking lamictal, a dangerous rash can occur. If you are taking lamictal and a rash develops, call your pdoc immediately. Your rash may not be caused by lamictal, but be sure and checkl I didn't know to call her about it and the results could have been far more disasterous than a blistered face.

This does not mean you should panic about taking your lamictal. It is a wonderful medication. Just keep in mind that if you develop a rash, it might be because of the lamictal.

I hope this helps you!

Cheers,

January

i also take lamictal and had a small rash when i started it. i went to the pdoc immediately and she got me through it...many, many non-rash aggravating hugs.....xoxo pat

I 've been on Lamictal a little over 2 years, the "dangerous rash" called Stevens Johnson syndrome (can't remember it) occurs as soon as a person starts it and should be reported or actually a person would get sick right then and there, it also is usually fatal.
The rashing you are getting now, may be from the med. combined with other things, or has your dose been titrated up recently? Increasing dosage should be done gradualy (sp?) to help prevent onset of rash.
I have found too, that certain makeups, lotions I have used have started to give me mild rashing, one case I can pinpoint, my makeup now has an ingrediant it didn't have before, a sunscreen component, and a new astringent I started using seems to cause a mild rash ocassionaly.
I have always had terrible skin so it would be hard for me to know for sure if it is the med. But my thought would be if it was going to happen, it shouldn't just cause rashing 2 yrs later.
Maybe perspiration, age, topical products are some possible culprits?
I get terrible dermatitis on my hands just from different soas and cleaning agents, for years, I have an excellent prescription gel called Diprolene by Schering-Plough, it's great, I even put it on a rash patch I had on my jawline and forehead, like magic it brought relief.
Sorry to digress, but check it out with your pdoc. it may be something other than the Lamictal, or something not agreeing with the med. Lamictal has been working so well for me, minor rashes I will deal with than to stop the med.
If there wasn't anything that could be done then I may consider a change, but for now I'll us my topical gels/ointments.
I wish you luck with this, let us know how you make out.

DE

Well, here's some more info. I can't believe I missed the "at any time" part! lol

Most people who take lamotrigine tolerate it well. The most common side effects are dizziness, drowsiness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, and rash. If a skin rash occurs at any time while taking lamotrigine, contact your prescriber immediately. Rashes may be very severe and sometimes requires being treatment in the hospital. Deaths from rashes have occurred. Serious rashes occur more often in children than adults taking lamotrigine. It is more common for these serious rashes to occur during the first 2 months of treatment, but a rash can occur at any time.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional immediately:
•fever
•painful sores in the mouth, eyes, or nose
•redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
•skin rash of any type, itching
•swelling of the face, lips or tongue
•swollen lymph glands

There are more side effects, and I urge each of you to look them up.

Cheers!

Jan

Thank you!!! May we have no more rashes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

((((((((((((((((((((pat))))))))))))))))))

Many hugs,

Jan

Hi DE,

It's so good to hear from you. I agreed exactly with you until I went and looked up additional info today. Our docors should be so careful in explaining these things to us!

Thank you for telling me about the cream. I'll ask my pdoc to prescribe some. I think it will really help me in a lot of ways.

Hugs,

Jan

well i don't taks that drug, but if it gets perscribed to me I know what to look for. I hope that your face gets better Jan.

Love and hugs
~me~

I understand there are thousands (exageration on my part) of side effects to every drug, not all effect everyone, but by law all have to be stated and made public.
I use to read the PDR's before it was on internet, then books, then SDS's, every time my family, friends or I were put on a med. I had to get away from reading and obsessing about side effects, cause in all seriousness, the info may cause people from denying themselves of something that can really help them, and outweigh many of the temporary non dangerous side effects.
My dad, years before he passed away read side effects of a couple of different AD's and on his own decided not to take them, even though everyone saw improvment in his mood and outlook, soooooooooo I hope everyone or anyone put on some meds of some sort do not get too obsessed with side effects, but at the same time give the med a try that is prescribebd for you, work closely with your doc or pdoc, keeping him or her updated on any reactions, mood changes or just about anything you feel different about.
My old saying if it works for you, and you are under a doctor's care, go for it

Lots of luck to all



The topical I mentioned for rashes, dermatitis, is so nice cause it is a clear gel that literally goes right into your skin and almost immediately stops itching and even burning, it also promotes healing of the affected area.
Good luck with this too

Thank you DE!!!

You explained things much better than I did! I totally agree with you that if the dr gives it to you, and it seems to be working, then by all means, take the meds!

lol!

Hugs,

Jan

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((kath)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many hugs,

Jan

You told me that your pdoc had said your rash is due to lamictal... but until I read this post, I had no idea that the rash was so dangerous! no wonder your pdoc pulled you straight off it. how scary!

((((((((((((((((((( Jan )))))))))))))))))))))

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!! Rash!!!

lol

Many, many hugs,

Jan

It does make one wonder about how much we need to read the warnings that come with meds. PLUS imo the FDA needs to make the drug companies make special notes for us when they change the warnings! How else would we find out? Certainly reading the listing once is trying as it is... but each time? No way! TC

You're right sky. Reading all that info over and over again is enough to make me dizzy!

Hugs,

Jan

having been married to a surgeon, i know my way around the PDR and the medical websites, BUT, i sure didn't understand, til i got the rash, that lamictal was that risky. i'm taking it now and have had nothing but positive feelings about it. my Pdoc tweaked the depakote and the lamictal because the depakote doubles the lamictal??? and all seems well. she still has me on prozac, but off elavil. i've never, ever taken more than a few meds daily. now, i rattle when i walk!!

I rattle when I walk, too, due to Lamictal, Nardil, supplements, thyroid meds, allergy meds, etc.

I have to use one of those stackable daily pill boxes.

sigh

But with Lamictal I am feeling better. Fortunately, my pdoc warned me to watch out for the rash, and I'm going slow on raising the dose.

Sorry you got it, Jan.

gg

"rattle when you walk" you guys are so funny!

Going slow on raising your dose? Your pdoc is the one to have you gradually dose up, and minimal at that, till you reach the therapeutic dose. I hope that is what you mean.
It is a great med. for Bipolar-II having more of a depressive side of BP-II thsn manic.
I wish you lots of luck. I've had very minimal rash ups that subside. I found winter's weather caused flare ups as well as perspiring during our warmer months . . . menopausal hot flashes haven't helped.
All and all I can tolerate it, it's much better than being unstable and deep depression.

Take care now,
DE