Question 1

are certain people more susceptible to the bad side effects of lamotrigine, incl. rashes? already prone to a lot of skin issues, afraid to take it.

Accepted Answer

Yes!!  : Yes it is well known that some people  have an atopic constitution (sometimes with past history of atopic phenomena like asthma, eczema, hay fever etc) these people are more likely to react to certain medications.

Question 2

when is rashes dangerous when taking lamotrigine (600 mg bipolar)?

Accepted Answer

Possible side effect: please consult your prescribing physician and get a dermatology evaluation.

Question 3

can lamotrigine cause a rash after being on it a year or so?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon, but maybe: Lamotrigine (lamictal) can (rarely) cause serious, even life-threatening, rashes, but these usually occur within 2 to 8 weeks of starting treatment, but very rarely can occur later. Risk of serious (eg stevens johnson syndrome) is roughly 0.8% in kids and 0.3% in adults. If you develop a rash while taking Lamotrigine you should see a doctor to see if the rash can be attributed to something else.

Question 4

i take lamotrigine. 1.can a rash happen even after long term use? 2.if it happens, and i instantly quit lamotrigine, how dangerous it is at that point

Accepted Answer

Answers: 1. Would be very unusual for a rash to occur after a few weeks following initiation of lamotrigdine.  
2. Even if timing is wrong, an itchy rash could be really bad news, and you might have to stop your meds.  Since you exhibit concern, have a conference with your doctor.

Question 5

is it ok to raise the dose of lamotrigine by 25 mg each week, given that 4 years ago (during my first trial of it), i was following the standard dose-raising practice (by 25 mg every 2 weeks) and never had any side effects let alone developed a rash?

Accepted Answer

Lamotrigine: Dosage schedule and escalation of dose is different when used in seizure disorders compared with bipolar disorder. Most general practitioners don't have enough experience with this medication and defer it's use to specialists who use it often. Don't make dosage decisions without supervision from the prescribing specialist. I'm sure your pharmacist will agree with this advice.

Question 6

i am about to (slowly) start lamotrigine. but i noticed a small no-itchy rash. do i need to wait until the rash clears up first?

Accepted Answer

: Since lamotrigine can cause a life threatening rash, it is started slowly with low dose titration over time.  A preceding rash would not necessarily preclude usage, but have this evaluated by your doctor just to be on the safe side, first.  It is not feasible to accurately predict how a potential skin co-morbidity might interact with a new drug.

Question 7

i took unprescribed lamotrigine 150 mg for 3 days and 75 mg on day 4. i am aware of the life threating rash . now i am itching all over. after researc?

Accepted Answer

Should be okay: Just itching is not the sign of the rash you are concerned about. The signs include visible changes in your skin. Also, this severe rash occurs after taking the medication for longer than you have. Most importantly: please do not take prescribed medications! this is very dangerous but you don't sound to have anything serious this time. Try a moisturizer to help with the itching.

Question 8

stopped lamotrigine for 5-6 days while out, & re-started at full dose without titration. 1-inch purple target/ring rash w white center along with some coughing (tho had occasional random coughs for years) & 1-second diarrhea. steven-johnson syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Rash: Steven Johnson syndrome is usually more pronounced with the rash.  One small area would be unusual.   Get it checked out by your pcp.  The medication you are on needs to be titrated when you stop.

Question 9

grandmother has been taking lamotrigine 25 mg at night for 1 week. i noticed a red rash on her belly / navel about the size of my palm. could this be the dangerous rash? is it safe to stop the med?

Accepted Answer

Lamictal rash: Yes rash with Lamictal is serious and must be seen and if only taking 25 mg for a week can stop it, but needs to see her doctor for different treatment.

Question 10

neurologist q: i have been taking lamotrigine  for bp2 (not epilepsy). prescriber said stop taking *immediately* (no taper) if rash and that the reported risk of rebound seizures only applies to epileptics.  (i am not epileptic).  is she correct?

Accepted Answer

DEPENDS ON DOSE: I think that it really depends on the dose. If you are starting the lamotrigine and the dose is on the lower side then stopping immediately is not an issue. If the dose is really high then you may want to do a taper off but quickly since the rash can be dangerous. Typically the rash does not appear down the line..

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Doctor answers about:

Lamotrigine rash symptoms

A member asked:

Are certain people more susceptible to the bad side effects of lamotrigine, incl. rashes? already prone to a lot of skin issues, afraid to take it.

A member asked:

When is rashes dangerous when taking lamotrigine (600 mg bipolar)?

A member asked:

Can lamotrigine cause a rash after being on it a year or so?

A member asked:

I take lamotrigine. 1.can a rash happen even after long term use? 2.if it happens, and i instantly quit lamotrigine, how dangerous it is at that point

A member asked:

Is it ok to raise the dose of lamotrigine by 25 mg each week, given that 4 years ago (during my first trial of it), i was following the standard dose-raising practice (by 25 mg every 2 weeks) and never had any side effects let alone developed a rash?

A member asked:

I am about to (slowly) start lamotrigine. but i noticed a small no-itchy rash. do i need to wait until the rash clears up first?

A member asked:

I took unprescribed lamotrigine 150 mg for 3 days and 75 mg on day 4. i am aware of the life threating rash . now i am itching all over. after researc?

A member asked:

Stopped lamotrigine for 5-6 days while out, & re-started at full dose without titration. 1-inch purple target/ring rash w white center along with some coughing (tho had occasional random coughs for years) & 1-second diarrhea. steven-johnson syndrome?

A member asked:

Grandmother has been taking lamotrigine 25 mg at night for 1 week. i noticed a red rash on her belly / navel about the size of my palm. could this be the dangerous rash? is it safe to stop the med?

A member asked:

Neurologist q: i have been taking lamotrigine for bp2 (not epilepsy). prescriber said stop taking *immediately* (no taper) if rash and that the reported risk of rebound seizures only applies to epileptics. (i am not epileptic). is she correct?

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Questions?

Neurologist q: i have been taking lamotrigine for bp2 (not epilepsy). prescriber said stop taking immediately (no taper) if rash and that the reported risk of rebound seizures only applies to epileptics. (i am not epileptic). is she correct?