Development of an incipient Stevens–Johnson reaction while on a stable dose of lamotrigine

Abstract

Objective:

To describe a case of a possible incipient Stevens–Johnson reaction while a patient had been on a stable dose of lamotrigine for several months and to consider the likely cause.

Methods:

The history is recounted.

Results:

One likely cause implicates differing effective doses of lamotrigine across differing brands and raises quality control issues.

Conclusion:

The patient’s severe reaction may reflect changing to a brand of lamotrigine that precipitously generated a higher serum level of lamotrigine.