[la doctora]

If you have had the lamictal rash, could you please describe it for me?

I have one hive on top of my right bicep muscle. I know there is a mild form of the skin rash also that should be reported to the doctor, not just the severe form. The hive itches and could very well be an insect bite. But it doesn't have a central pinpoint hole like a bite would. I am nervous about it so I want to make sure I shouldn't be calling the doc.

I have been on the starter pack for Lamictal. I am on day 14 of 25 mg and about to move up to 50mg.

I looked up what it should look like and I saw the target lesions with the depressed centers and red rings around the center. Mine has a raised red center surrounded by a lighter red circle. That circle seems to be getting bigger. It is the only one I have found so far on my body. It is mildly itchy.

I bet I sould paranoid since it is only one lesion, but I guess I am a little... Can any of you help me out?

[Moreta]

If you get any rash while on Lamictal, call your doctor right away. It may not be the "rash" but I wouldn't take any chances.

I got a rash while on Lamictal, and that would be when I stopped taking it.

[googley]

I also got a rash while I was on lamictal. My doc didn't know if it was 'the' rash so just had me stop taking it. Call your doctor. Only he/she can give you an accurate judgment of what it is.

[almost sane]

i am on lamictal too and i am afraid of the rash. i am now on 100mg and have been taking it for a couple of months so the risk is lower, but i still worry.

[Skully]

I am lucky and have not had the rash. I have been on lamictal since February. If you develop any type of "rash" looking areas then talk to your pdoc right away and have him look at it. A doc is the only one who can determine for sure what it is.

THE rash is rare, but always ask your doc. I've had a rash when on lamictal, but it was clearly not THE rash. THE rash is more like having severe burns.

[la doctora]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Turns out my bump was just a bug bite after all. But I agree better safe than sorry. So far so good and I don't have a rash. I am on 50 mgs still on the titration pack. I really hope I don't get the rash bc I feel much better after taking it. It is kicking my depression in the butt!

[eskielover]

I didn't get the rash, but I had itching all over my body....it was the same reaction that I had with morphine where I itched all over & couldn't stop scratching but no sign of a rash anywhere. It happened 2 days after starting it....needless to say, my pdoc stopped it immediately.

[shezbut]

Just wanted to help identify what is considered allergy rash.

Hives are red, hot, enlarged areas of skin. They can be individual bumps, or they can cause all of the skin to become inflamed at once. There is no center, or pinprick middle. Hives typically disappear leaving no scars, bumps, or reddened areas behind. The hives move from area to area within hours.

The physical feeling is typically a maddening itch; hot, burning skin. Emotional feelings also come into play as hives continue, worsen, and refuse to disappear.

Hives are taken seriously in the beginning, as they may lead to asphyxiation (swelling in the throat and windpipe, leading to smothering) and death. Doctors therefore always try to rule out this possibility asap.

Millions of people suffer chronic urticaria. Chronic hives, and they fight to avoid the hivey misery for many months and/or years.

[chelseameag]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and thought I would share my experience in answer to the question "Have you had the Lamictal Rash?"

This drug may work very well for many people but for me it caused my whole body to go through the hardest few days I've ever experienced, and I'm still having issues until it clears from my system.

I started on a low dose and was to increase each week. On week 5, I would reach the desired dose for my needs.

The morning of Day 12 on Lamictal (also the morning of my last dose of Lamictal), I awoke to a hot red rash on my entire chest, shoulders, upper arms. I was told I should see the doctor but planned to hold off until after work that evening. It progressively got worse and a few hours later that morning, the pharmacists (I work at a pharmacy) saw my rash and had a startling reaction. Four of them insisted that I get to the doctor immediately stating they had never seen a rash so bad. My pharmacy managers were also alarmed and gave me benadryl before sending me off with someone to take me to seek medical help.

The doctor at the clinic noted that I had a fever and took my rash very seriously. She called the emergency department to have them on alert I was coming so I wouldn't have to wait and she wrote me a note to bring with me. She also informed me of the severity of this reaction and how damaging it could be to my organs. I was very concerned at that point.

That night after many hours in the hospital I finally made it to my bed. That is where I stayed for 3 days, either my bed or the couch.

The rash and fever weren't the only side effects. My eyes were burning!! I was nauseous. I had intense chills and body aches. I have terrible headaches.

I was living in hell and my skin was on fire. That same night on day 12 it felt so hot it was incredible. My husband kept putting ice packs on me to relieve the temperature but I was also freezing with the chills so it was hard for me. My skin was on fire but I needed layers of blankets at all times. I was taking two extra strength Tylenol and a Benadryl every four hours.

After 3 days the rash had continued to spread onto my legs, forearms, back, tummy, hands, face. It was everywhere but not as red hot as where it first started. We thought it was improving when suddenly my fever spiked yet again and all the heat came back to my rashes. It just wasn't getting better. My husband brought me back to emergency even though I was fighting him not to with the little energy I had. (The doctors I saw at emergency before were absolutely useless. They explained my rash was caused by a mix of sun and a body gel - disregarding my fever, burning eyes, and all other signs I had. And I told them I hadn't been in the sun for six days! This is why I had no desire for the emergency room again) The wait at the emergency room was 8 hours and after 2.5hours we decided to go back home to get proper rest. And rest was the only thing I wanted.

That was two days ago. Now I am starting to be on the mend. I saw a great dermatologist yesterday and he immediately said that my rash was absolutely the reaction from the Lamictal.

I am getting better but I still have to wait longer for the Lamictal to get out of my system. The rash is still very present and the dermatologist has not confirmed its not Steven Johnson. They said it still can show positive but I am very hopeful that its not. Its not anything now like the original rash I experienced. My eyes feel fine too. So I'm sure I am in the clear.

My problems now are these terrible headaches and lack of energy. I can't do very much at all without needing to sit down. I still need the Tylenol every four hours and the Benadryl too.

I can't wait to be back to normal and have this stuff out of my system.