What does a Lamictal induced rash look and feel like and is there a remedy while staying on the drug?

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http://health-pictures.com/rash/lamictal-rash.htm. This site has an example of the lamictal rash. Some people say it itches. Mine did not. My doctor told had me go in so that he could look at the rash and confirm it was a lamictal rash then he had me stop taking the drug immediately. The best remedy for allergic reactions (which is what the lamictal rash is) (without going to the hospital)is prednisone along with benadryl. However, you cannot stay on the drug while taking these. These are given to end the allergic reaction. If you take more lamictal it will make the rash worse and put you at high risk for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. This is potentially fatal. Whatever you are taking lamictal for, death would be much worse so give it up for now. Even though I got the rash and had to stop, now I'm back on it. My doctor and I had to start taking it in super low doses and work agonizingly slowly up to higher doses. But I'm back on it. Perhaps you can do the same with your doctor.


 

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Rash is a fairly common side effect. However, in rare cases a very severe form of rash can develop. Always contact your doctor if you get a rash during Lamictal therapy. Do not discontinue your medication without consulting the doctor first.

 

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i have recentley been diagnosed with bi-polor, taken off Prozac and put on lamectil.They started me on a low dose as i was told about a rash so they start you out small. a month later i went up to 100mg. a week later i started noticing small red bumps and thought i was getting paranoid. well now i have the ugliest and reddest rash on my arms. and itch? they discontinued all mey meds to see if it will clear up. wish me luck. Lamectil is not for me. now im not on anything... this will be one long journey  

Answer

The Lamictal induced rash can be called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. You can see what it looks like by doing a search of Google Images. There are many pictures on the web, most failry graphic.
Both Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis can start with non-specific symptoms such as:
Coughing Aching Headaches Feverishness Vomiting Diarrhoea (diarrhea)
This is usually followed by a red rash across the face and the trunk of the body, which can continue to spread to other parts of the body. Blisters then form across the body in places such as the nose, moth, eyes, and genital areas, and the mucous membrane becomes inflamed. With some people the nails and hair begin to come out as well. In the case of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis patients, the skin can start to come away in sheets leaving exposed flesh that could be likened to serious burning and is very susceptible to infection.
Both of these disease variations are potentially deadly. In drug related cases, the symptoms for both diseases can take one or two weeks to manifest from the first time the patient takes the drug.
Treatment for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis are very serious, potentially deadly conditions and have to be treated accordingly. Firstly, the cause of the condition has to be identified if possible. So, if the cause if drug related, doctors can stop the drug immediately. In the case of a new infection on top of the condition or a bacterial infection, doctors may use a suitable antibiotic. In severe cases, the patient is treated in a burns unit. Patients have to be treated in meticulously hygienic environments to alleviate the risk of further infection, which could result in death. In cases where the patients has lost a lot of fluid through seeping areas where the skin has come away, intravenous fluid replacement may be required. The hospital may also use topical and oral corticosteroids to treat affected areas.  

ADDITIONAL ANSWER

THE RASH FROM Lamictal is described as red or purple point-like rash on the skin or mucous membrane. The rash can be POTENTIALLY FATAL, so you need to call your doctor IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT stop taking Lamictal (lamotrigine) without doctor supervision! He/she must taper you off the dose slowly over weeks. The only way to get rid of the rash is to discontinue the drug. There have been reported deaths, liver failure and and status epilepticus (severe siezure disorder) has been reported with use of this drug. Be Well........<<>>

ADDITIONAL ANSWER

I was prescibed Lamictal for bipolar 1 disorder when I developed a type of depression that left me with a feeling of brain inflamation like an icy-hot feel on the surface of the brain and intermittent mental degradation with no mania. I did not take it because I actually felt like I was sick rather than bipolar - Eventually turned out I had a major clogging of the bile ducts of the liver and lead exposure from renovating a house. Treatment cleared up the headache and the "bipolar" disorder. Trust your instincts when it comes to this stuff as your doctor in these cases sees what they are trained in. My neurologist said that I had gone 3 levels outside of his knowledge domain to find that cure. If you have other symptoms other than mental ( I had muscle twitching and a pale drawn demeanor and muscle pain and irritability but the liver function tests were normal) you may benefit from this approach. If I may plug the place that cured me www dot angelfarms dot com. Good luck.

ADDITIONAL ANSWER

I developed a mild case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome a year ago, after using Lamictal for many years. This followed a dose increase (to 500 or 600 mg, I don't remember). My doctors at Stanford were astute enough to warn that it's not the rash on the body they are considered about, but that on mucous membranes and in the mouth. So when I developed several lesions in the mouth and one in the genital region (with no overall body rash) I stopped the Lamictal and called my doctor. He returned my phone call with his cell phone number (one of those rare occasions, he said), and instructed me to race down to the emergency room upon any worsening. He also took me off all other medications for about a week and of course saw me the next day. That was the worst of it, and I consider myself very lucky. Nothing I had read on the internet or heard from other doctors had alerted me to the type of lesions to watch for--I could have been in much worse shape. I'm a Ph.D. Biochemist and confirmed the diagnosis of Stevens Johnson syndrome with my doctor; it's on all my charts.

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First answer by Mystikt. Last edit by Wuz2blu. Contributor trust: 3 [recommend contributorrecommended]. Question popularity: 197 [recommend question].