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.