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Lamotrigine-associated anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome
R G Schlienger1, S R Knowles, N H Shear
1Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, University of Toronto, ONT, Canada.
Neurology
|October 22, 1998
Summary
Lamotrigine can cause anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS), a severe drug reaction. This study found lamotrigine-associated AHS shares characteristics with older anticonvulsant-induced AHS.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacovigilance
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a severe, idiosyncratic drug reaction.
- Lamotrigine is a widely used anticonvulsant medication.
- Previous studies have described AHS associated with older aromatic anticonvulsants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze cases of lamotrigine-associated adverse drug reactions.
- To identify the specific characteristics of AHS when induced by lamotrigine.
- To compare lamotrigine-induced AHS with AHS caused by other anticonvulsants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published and unpublished case reports.
- Analysis of 26 identified cases of lamotrigine-associated adverse drug reactions.
- Comparison of clinical features with historical AHS data.
Main Results:
- Twenty-six cases of lamotrigine-associated AHS were identified (mean age 28 years, 54% female).
- Nine of the identified cases were previously published.
- The clinical presentation of lamotrigine-induced AHS is comparable to AHS caused by older anticonvulsants.
Conclusions:
- Lamotrigine is associated with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome.
- The characteristics of lamotrigine-induced AHS are similar to those seen with older anticonvulsants.
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for AHS with lamotrigine use.