Lamictal rash symptoms

Side effects of lamotrigine - NHS

Like all medicines, lamotrigine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Most side effects of lamotrigine wear off, but it can take several weeks or months.

When you start taking lamotrigine, it's important to increase the dose slowly as this will help reduce or stop some side effects happening.

Lamotrigine can also cause some unpredictable side effects no matter what dose you take, and these can happen at any time.

Speak to your pharmacist or doctor if you're concerned about side effects.

Common side effects

These common side effects of lamotrigine may happen in more than 1 in 10 people. There are things you can do to help you cope:

Headaches

Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller.

Talk to your doctor if your headaches last longer than a week or are severe.

Feeling drowsy, sleepy or dizzy

As your body gets used to lamotrigine, these side effects should wear off. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery until you feel more alert.

If they do not go within a week or two, your doctor may reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that does not work, speak to your doctor. You may need to switch to a different medicine.

Aggression, or feeling irritable or agitated

Talk to your doctor.

Shaking or tremors

Talk to your doctor if this is bothering you. These symptoms can be a sign that the dose is too high for you. It may help to change your dose or take your medicine at a different time of day.

Difficulty sleeping

Talk to your doctor.

Diarrhoea

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.

Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Speak to a doctor if symptoms get worse or last longer than a week.

If you take contraceptive pills and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.

Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your lamotrigine after a meal or snack. If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips of water or squash to avoid dehydration.

Speak to a doctor if symptoms get worse or last longer than a week.

If you take contraceptive pills and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.

Mild skin rash

If you get a mild rash speak to your doctor for advice as your treatment may need to be changed.

Also see our serious side effects information.

If this advice does not help and you are bothered by any of these side effects, keep taking the medicine but tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Skin rashes

It's common to get a skin rash with lamotrigine. Most skin rashes are not serious.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare side effect of lamotrigine.

It causes flu-like symptoms, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and forms blisters. The affected skin eventually dies and peels off.

It's more likely to happen in the first 8 weeks of starting lamotrigine, or when the dose is increased too quickly.

It can also happen if lamotrigine is stopped suddenly for a few days and then restarted at the same dose as before, without reducing the dose and then increasing it slowly again.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is more common in:

children
people who have developed a rash before with a different epilepsy medicine
people who are allergic to an antibiotic called trimethoprim
people also taking a medicine called sodium valproate

To help reduce the chance of you getting a rash that could be confused with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, it's best to not try any new medicines or food during the first 3 months of treatment with lamotrigine.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E now if:

you get a severe rash with flushing, blisters or ulcers – these can be signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Find your nearest A&E

Other serious side effects

Very few people taking lamotrigine have any serious problems as any serious reaction is quite rare.

Tell a doctor or contact 111 straight away if you have a serious side effect, including:

worsening fits or seizures (if you take lamotrigine for epilepsy)
unexpected bruising or bleeding, a high temperature or sore throat – these could be signs of a blood disorder

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E or call 999 now if:

you have thoughts of harming or killing yourself – a small number of people taking lamotrigine for bipolar disorder have had suicidal thoughts, and this can happen after only a few weeks of treatment
you have a stiff neck, headaches, feel or are being sick, a high temperature and extreme sensitivity to bright light – these could be signs of meningitis

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to lamotrigine.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
you're wheezing
you get tightness in the chest or throat
you have trouble breathing or talking
your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Long-term side effects

Long-term treatment with lamotrigine can cause osteoporosis and osteopenia, increasing your risk of breaking a bone.

Your doctor can arrange for tests to check your bone strength.

Regular exercise and a good diet can also help keep your bones strong.

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of lamotrigine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Information:

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information.

Page last reviewed: 20 May 2022
Next review due: 25 May 2025

Lamictal Rash: Symptoms, Pictures, and Treatment

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is a medication that’s used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, neuropathic pain, and depression. Some people develop a rash while taking it.

A 2014 review of existing studies found that 10 percent of people in controlled trials had a reaction to Lamictal, which put them at risk of developing a rash.

While rashes caused by Lamictal are often harmless, they can sometimes be life-threatening. The FDA placed a black box warning on the Lamictal label to warn people about this risk.

Make sure you know the signs of a serious rash caused by Lamictal so you can get treatment quickly if it does occur.

It’s important to recognize the differences between a mild rash and one that requires emergency treatment. The symptoms of a mild rash caused by Lamictal are:

hives
itching
swelling

While a rash with these symptoms is likely not dangerous, still tell your doctor so they can monitor you for any other side effects.

The risk of getting a serious rash from Lamictal is low. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, clinical trials showed that the risk is 10%. It’s still important to know the symptoms because a serious rash from Lamictal can be fatal.

These more severe symptoms can include:

fever
joint pain
muscle pain
general discomfort
swelling of the lymph nodes around the neck
high count of eosinophils (a type of immune cell) in the blood

In very rare cases, you may develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis while taking Lamictal. The symptoms of these conditions are:

peeling
blisters
sepsis
multiple organ failure

If you develop any kind of rash while taking Lamictal, contact your doctor immediately. If you have symptoms of a more serious rash, get emergency treatment as soon as possible.

The Lamictal rash is caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to the drug Lamictal. A hypersensitivity reaction happens when your immune system overreacts to a compound or drug. These reactions can show up shortly after taking a drug or several hours or days later.

Several factors may increase your risk of developing a rash while taking Lamictal:

Age: Children are more likely to have a reaction to Lamictal.
Co-medication: People taking valproate, a medication used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches, in any of its forms along with Lamictal are more likely to have a reaction.
Starting dose: People starting Lamictal at a high dose are more likely to have a reaction.
Rapid dose escalation: A reaction is more likely to develop when you quickly increase your dose of Lamictal.
Prior reactions: If you’ve had a severe reaction to another anti-epilepsy drug, you’re more likely to have a reaction to Lamictal.
Genetic factors: A 2017 study identified specific immune system markers that could raise your risk of having a response to Lamictal.

Unless you’re sure the rash isn’t related to it, you should contact your doctor immediately and stop taking Lamictal. Abruptly stopping Lamictal may be dangerous, so a doctor’s supervision is crucial for any sudden change in treatment.

There’s no way to tell if a mild rash will turn into something more serious. Depending on your reaction, your doctor may lower your dose or take you off of the medication entirely.

Your doctor may also give you oral corticosteroids or antihistamines to help control the reaction and perform tests to see if any of your organs are affected.

It’s very important that you tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking before you start taking Lamictal.

If you’re taking valproate, you’ll need to be started on a lower dose of Lamictal. If you’ve had any reactions to other anti-epilepsy medications, make sure you tell your doctor.

Since quickly increasing your dose is a risk factor for having a reaction to Lamictal, you should follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor very carefully.

Don’t start taking a higher dose of Lamictal without talking to your doctor first. When you start taking Lamictal, make sure you understand exactly how much to take and when to take it.

While most rashes that happen while taking Lamictal are harmless, it’s important to monitor your symptoms to make sure they don’t become dangerous. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the risk factors for having a reaction to Lamictal.

Severe reactions to Lamictal can be fatal, so it’s important to get treatment as soon as you start having symptoms.

Lamictal rash: symptoms, pictures and treatment

27 lime, 2020 od Emma

content

Overview

Lamotrigine (lamiktal) is a drug used to treat epilepsy, bipolar pain, and neuropathic depression. Some people get a rash while taking it.

A 2014 review of existing studies found that 10 people in controlled trials had a reaction to lamictal, putting them at risk of developing a rash. Although a rash caused by lamiktal is often harmless, it can sometimes be life-threatening. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a black box on the label of Lamictal to warn people of this risk. nine0005

Be sure to recognize the signs of a severe Lamictal rash so that you can start treatment quickly if this happens.

What are the symptoms of lamictal rash?

It is important to distinguish between a mild rash and a rash requiring emergency treatment. Symptoms of a mild rash caused by Lamictal are:

Osip
itching
swelling

Although a rash with these symptoms is probably not dangerous, still consult your doctor so that he can monitor for any other side effects. nine0005

Share on Pinterest

The risk of a serious rash from Lamictal is low. According to The Foundation of Epilepsy, clinical trials have shown the risk to be as low as 0.3 percent for adults and 1 percent for children under the age of 16. It is still important to know the symptoms because a severe lamictal rash can be fatal.

These more severe symptoms may include:

fever
joint pain
muscle pain
general discomfort
swollen lymph nodes around the neck
high levels of eosinophils (a type of immune cell) in the blood

In very rare cases, you may develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrosis while taking Lamictal. Symptoms of these conditions are:

piles
blisters
SEPSA
multiple organ failure

If you develop a rash while taking Lamictal, call your doctor immediately. If you have symptoms of a more severe rash, seek emergency care as soon as possible. nine0005

What causes lamictal rash?

Lamictal rash results from a hypersensitivity reaction to lamictal. A hypersensitivity reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts to a compound or drug. These reactions may appear shortly after taking the medicine or several hours or days later.

Several factors may increase the risk of developing a rash when taking lamiktal:

Age: Children are more likely to have a reaction to lamiktal. nine0022
Medications: People taking valproate, a drug used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine, in any form, along with lamiktal, are more likely to have a reaction.
Starting dose: People who start high doses of Lamictal are more likely to develop a reaction.
Rapid dose escalation. The likelihood of developing a reaction is higher with a rapid increase in the dose of lamiktal.
Previous reactions: If you have had a severe reaction to another antiepileptic drug, you are more likely to have a reaction to lamiktal. nine0022
Genetic factors: A 2017 study identified specific markers of the immune system that may increase the risk of responding to Lamictal.

How is lamictal rash treated?

If you are not sure that the rash is not related, you should stop taking Lamictal immediately and talk to your doctor. It's impossible to tell if a mild rash will turn into something more serious. Depending on your response, your doctor may reduce your dose or eliminate you entirely. nine0005

Your doctor may also give you oral corticosteroids or antihistamines to monitor your reaction and do tests to see if any of your organs are affected.

How can I prevent lamictal rash?

It is important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking before you start taking Lamictal. If you are taking valproate, you will need to start with a lower dose of Lamictal. If you have had reactions to other antiepileptic drugs, be sure to tell your doctor. nine0005

Since rapidly increasing the dose is a risk factor for a reaction to Lamictal, you should follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor very carefully. Do not start taking higher doses of Lamictal without talking to your doctor first. When you start taking Lamictal, be sure to find out how much and when to take it.

clogged

While most rashes that occur while taking Lamictal are harmless, it's important to watch your symptoms so you don't become dangerous. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any risk factors for a reaction to Lamictal. nine0005

Serious reactions to Lamictal can be fatal, so it is important to start treatment as soon as you have symptoms.

Lamictal rash: symptoms, pictures and treatment

27 lime, 2020 od Emma

content

Overview

Lamictal is a drug used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and bipolar disorder. Some people get a rash while taking it.

Be sure to recognize the signs of a severe Lamictal rash so that you can start treatment quickly if this happens. nine0005

What are the symptoms of lamictal rash?

It is important to distinguish between a mild rash and a rash requiring emergency treatment. Symptoms of a mild rash caused by Lamictal are:

Osip
itching
swelling

Although a rash with these symptoms is probably not dangerous, still consult your doctor so that he can monitor for any other side effects.

Share on Pinterest

These more serious symptoms may include:

fever
joint pain
muscle pain
general discomfort
swollen lymph nodes around the neck
high eosinophil count

In very rare cases, you may develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrosis while taking Lamictal. The symptoms of these conditions are:

piles
blisters
SEPSA
multiple organ failure

If you develop a rash while taking Lamictal, call your doctor immediately. If you have symptoms of a more severe rash, seek emergency care as soon as possible.

What causes lamictal rash?

Several factors may increase the risk of developing a rash when taking lamiktal:

Age: Children are more likely to have a reaction to lamiktal.
Medications: People who take valproate, a drug used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraine, in any form, along with lamiktal, are more likely to have a reaction.
Starting dose: People who start high doses of Lamictal are more likely to develop a reaction. nine0022
Rapid dose increase. The likelihood of developing a reaction is higher with a rapid increase in the dose of lamiktal.
Previous reactions: If you have had a severe reaction to another antiepileptic drug, you are more likely to have a reaction to lamiktal.
Genetic Factors: A 2017 study identified specific markers of the immune system that may increase the risk of responding to Lamictal.

How is lamictal rash treated?

Your doctor may also give you oral corticosteroids or antihistamines to monitor your reaction and do tests to see if any of your organs are affected.

How can I prevent lamictal rash?

Since rapidly increasing the dose is a risk factor for a reaction to Lamictal, you should follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor very carefully.

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