Lamictal Rash: Symptoms, Pictures, and Treatment Health ConditionsFeaturedBreast CancerIBD MigraineMultiple Sclerosis (MS)Rheumatoid ArthritisType 2 DiabetesSponsored TopicsArticlesAcid RefluxADHDAllergiesAlzheimer's & DementiaBipolar DisorderCancerCrohn's DiseaseChronic PainCold & FluCOPDDepressionFibromyalgiaHeart DiseaseHigh CholesterolHIVHypertensionIPFOsteoarthritisPsoriasisSkin Disorders and CareSTDsDiscoverWellness TopicsNutritionFitnessSkin CareSexual HealthWomen's HealthMental HealthSleepOriginal SeriesFresh Food FastDiagnosis DiariesYou’re Not AlonePresent TenseVideo SeriesYouth in FocusHealthy HarvestNo More SilenceFuture of HealthPlanHealth ChallengesMindful EatingSugar SavvyMove Your BodyGut HealthMood FoodsAlign Your SpineFind CarePrimary CareMental HealthOB-GYNDermatologistsNeurologistsCardiologistsOrthopedistsLifestyle QuizzesWeight ManagementAm I Depressed? A Quiz for TeensAre You a Workaholic?How Well Do You Sleep?Tools & ResourcesHealth NewsFind a DietFind Healthy SnacksDrugs A-ZHealth A-ZConnectFind Your Bezzy CommunityBreast CancerInflammatory Bowel DiseasePsoriatic ArthritisMigraineMultiple SclerosisPsoriasisFollow us on social mediaShopProducts by ConditionInsomniaStress ReliefBack PainNeck PainSleep ApneaHot SleepersAllergiesPain ReliefProduct ReviewsVitamins & SupplementsSleepMental HealthNutritionAt-Home TestingCBDMen’s HealthWomen’s HealthHealth ConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectShopSubscribe

How to Identify a Rash Caused by Lamictal

Medically reviewed by Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on October 12, 2022Lamotrigine (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.

What are the symptoms of a rash from Lamictal

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:hivesitchingswelling 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:feverjoint painmuscle paingeneral discomfortswelling of the lymph nodes around the neckhigh 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:peelingblisterssepsismultiple 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.

What causes a rash from Lamictal

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.

How s a rash from Lamictal treated

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.

How can I prevent a rash from Lamictal

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.

Outlook

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. Last medically reviewed on October 12, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.A guide to drug safety terms at FDA. (2012).
fda.gov/downloads/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm107976.pdfBommersbach TJ, et al. (2016). Management of psychotropic drug-induced DRESS syndrome: A systematic review. DOI:
dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.03.006Brockow K, et al. (2015). Guideline for the diagnosis of drug hypersensitivity reactions.
link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40629-015-0052-6Hirsch LJ, et al. (2006). Predictors of lamotrigine-associated rash.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00423.xLamotrigine. (2022).
epilepsy.com/tools-resources/seizure-medication-list/lamotrigineLamotrigine. (2021).
medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695007.htmlLorberg B, et al. (2009). Lamotrigine-associated rash: To rechallenge or not to rechallenge?
academic.oup.com/ijnp/article/12/2/257/668826Shi Y-W, et al. (2017). HLA-A*24:02 as a common risk factor for antiepileptic drug-induced cutaneous adverse reactions.
n.neurology.org/content/88/23/2183Wang X-Q, et al. (2015). Risk of a lamotrigine-related skin rash: Current meta-analysis and postmarketing cohort analysis.
seizure-journal.com/article/S1059-1311(14)00312-4/fulltextOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 13, 2022 By Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD Edited By John Bassham Medically Reviewed By Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPh Copy Edited By Copy Editors Sep 29, 2018 By Jill Seladi-Schulman, PhD VIEW ALL HISTORY Share this articleMedically reviewed by Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH — By Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. — Updated on October 12, 2022

Read this next

Does Lamictal Cause Weight Gain?Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. Some drugs can cause weight gain. See if Lamictal will likely affect your weight, plus learn other factors that are important to consider with this…READ MORELamictal and AlcoholMedically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD Learn about how alcohol interacts with Lamictal and how it affects bipolar disorder.READ MOREDoes Bipolar Disorder Medication Cause Weight Loss?Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. Bipolar medications that cause weight loss are rare. Learn about common drugs for bipolar disorder, how they affect weight, and other side effects.READ MOREWhat Is a Drug Allergy?Medically reviewed by Aleah Rodriguez, PharmD A drug allergy is an allergic reaction to a medication. Find out how to know if you have one and what to do about it. READ MOREThe Cost of Epilepsy MedicationsMedically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. If you have epilepsy, you may need daily medications. Learn the prices of these drugs and how to keep costs in check.READ MOREOverview of Myoclonic Astatic Epilepsy, Also Known as Doose Syndrome Doose syndrome is a childhood epilepsy syndrome that can cause many types of seizures. Here's what you need to know.READ MOREWhat is Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) for Epilepsy? RNS uses a device called a neurostimulator to monitor, stop, or prevent seizures using small amounts of electrical current delivered to your brain.READ MOREWhen Is It OK to Drive If You Have Epilepsy?Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. Legally, every state in the U.S allows certain people with epilepsy to drive. You must be seizure free for a specified amount of time. Each state has…READ MOREIs There a Link Between Epilepsy and Celiac Disease? Epilepsy appears to be more common in people with celiac disease, and celiac disease appears to be more common in people with epilepsy.READ MORE*clone Market VIP* The 11 Best Mattresses for Lower Back Pain in 2022Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT These 11 picks are some of the best mattresses for lower back pain. Offering medium-firm support, they’ll help keep you aligned and rested.READ MORE