[Anneinside]

I found out something interesting. I was looking up two antibiotics that I am allergic to wanting to find out if they were in the same family. They were ceclor and ciprofloxacin. To my surprise I found that a possible side effect for both was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. With all the talk about it and lamictal, I somehow associated it only with lamictal. It is amazing how many serious side effects are caused by high use drugs. I wonder what else can cause Stevens-Johnson.

[Confusedinomicon]

Can you explain what Stevens Johnson is?

[Anneinside]

Stevens-Johnson is a skin and mucus membrane rash that can become very serious, even life-threatening.

[hanners]

Interesting that you mention this. I was put on a dose of Ceclor back when I was about 6, and broke out in hives. I'm sure it wasn't SJS, but it's interesting to see the connection.

I'm on lamictal now, and aside from some minor itching whenever my dose increases, I've not had any problems with it.

[madisgram]

Hope this helps-

Medication/drugs
See also: List of SJS inducing substances
Although Stevens–Johnson Syndrome can be caused by viral infections, malignancies, or severe allergic reactions to medication, the leading cause appears to be the use of antibiotics and sulfa drugs.
SJS can be caused by adverse effects of drugs allopurinol, Depakote, Levaquin, diclofenac, etravirine, isotretinoin (a.k.a. Accutane), fluconazole,[4] valdecoxib, sitagliptin, oseltamivir, penicillins, barbiturates, sulfonamides, phenytoin, azithromycin, oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, modafinil,[5] lamotrigine (lamictal), nevirapine, pyrimethamine, ibuprofen,[6] ethosuximide, carbamazepine, and nystatin.[7][8]
Medications that have traditionally been known to lead to SJS, erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis include sulfonamides (antibiotics), penicillins (antibiotics), barbiturates (sedatives), lamotrigine, and phenytoin (e.g. Dilantin) (anticonvulsants). Combining lamotrigine with sodium valproate increases the risk of SJS.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a rare cause of SJS in adults; the risk is higher for older patients, women and those initiating treatment.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevens...hnson_syndrome

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

I found out something interesting. I was looking up two antibiotics that I am allergic to wanting to find out if they were in the same family. They were ceclor and ciprofloxacin. To my surprise I found that a possible side effect for both was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. With all the talk about it and lamictal, I somehow associated it only with lamictal. It is amazing how many serious side effects are caused by high use drugs. I wonder what else can cause Stevens-Johnson.

Stevens-Johnson Syndome and Toxic Epidermic Necrolysis (where your skin falls off) can technically occur with the use of ANY drug.

Drug allergies can occur with ANY drug, and SJS/TEN is on the end of the spectrum (the most severe) of drug allergies.

But some drugs are more likely to cause drug allergies, and hence also more likely to cause SJS/TEN.

I've had hives all over my body in response to both Risperdal and Flomax. As a result, my pdoc is wary of trying me on Lamictal. If you've had allergic reactions to other drugs, you are more likely to have an allergic reaction (and SJS/TEN) with lamictal.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by bipolarmedstudent

Stevens-Johnson Syndome and Toxic Epidermic Necrolysis (where your skin falls off) can technically occur with the use of ANY drug.

Drug allergies can occur with ANY drug, and SJS/TEN is on the end of the spectrum (the most severe) of drug allergies.

But some drugs are more likely to cause drug allergies, and hence also more likely to cause SJS/TEN.

I've had hives all over my body in response to both Risperdal and Flomax. As a result, my pdoc is wary of trying me on Lamictal. If you've had allergic reactions to other drugs, you are more likely to have an allergic reaction (and SJS/TEN) with lamictal.

I have been on Lamictal for a couple of years with no problems. I just found it interesting that there is a warning on lamictal and, as far as I know, it is not posted as a warning with other drugs listed above, including cipro which I looked up.

[bipolarmedstudent]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

I have been on Lamictal for a couple of years with no problems. I just found it interesting that there is a warning on lamictal and, as far as I know, it is not posted as a warning with other drugs listed above, including cipro which I looked up.

I think it's because the risk is higher with lamictal.

By the way, you can actually develop an allergic reaction to a drug even if you've been on it for years. I had been on risperdal for a year before I broke out with hives...and it was confirmed to a be a drug allergy to the risperdal. So just because you've taken a drug before without a reaction, doesn't mean you won't have an allergic reaction in the future with the same drug. It's kinda crazy.