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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pork chop on December 7, 2002, at 15:39:45
Has anyone developed skin rashes with Lamictal? This is my second week (the first week I was at 25 mg). Now I'm at 50 mg and I just noticed a red itchy patch on my throat. I worry incessantly anyway, but I'm really concerned about developing The Rash. What does it look like in its beginning phases?
I know my pdoc recommended discontinuing immediately at the first site of rash, but I had a smaller one in the same spot last week and it went away on its own. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm going to ask the doc this, but has anyone just tapered down in dosage instead of quitting altogether? I don't want to give up with Lamictal yet.
Posted by Larry Hoover on December 7, 2002, at 16:00:33
In reply to Lamictal Rash or Hypochondria?, posted by pork chop on December 7, 2002, at 15:39:45
> Has anyone developed skin rashes with Lamictal? This is my second week (the first week I was at 25 mg). Now I'm at 50 mg and I just noticed a red itchy patch on my throat. I worry incessantly anyway, but I'm really concerned about developing The Rash. What does it look like in its beginning phases?
>
> I know my pdoc recommended discontinuing immediately at the first site of rash, but I had a smaller one in the same spot last week and it went away on its own. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I'm going to ask the doc this, but has anyone just tapered down in dosage instead of quitting altogether? I don't want to give up with Lamictal yet.Your dose may be increasing too quickly, or you may have to discontinue.
From Dr. Goldberg's Depression Central:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.lamotrigine.html
The side-effect of lamotrigine that most often causes the drug to be discontinued is a rash. Rashes can be mild, similar to a slight sunburn, or can be quite severe resembling a severe case of poison-ivy. The more severe the rash the less likely it is that the individual will be able to continue the medication. ALL rashes should be reported to the physicians prescribing the lamotrigine.
A rash is more likely to develop when the initial doses of lamotrigine are high or when lamotrigine is too rapidly started when someone is taking valproate.
It is important that people taking lamotrigine who develop a rash immediately contact their physician as there have been a few deaths in people who have developed lamotrigine-induced rashes.
Posted by ShelliR on December 7, 2002, at 17:15:26
In reply to Lamictal Rash or Hypochondria?, posted by pork chop on December 7, 2002, at 15:39:45
Porkchop,
Each time I've started lamictal, I've developed some tiny little rash, sometimes just a little circle of bumps. I think for me, I would always find *something* if I looked, so I just watched it and never reported it. Always, it went away. The rash is rare, but very serious if truely caused by lamictal. I've seen pictures of lamictal rashes and they look bad; I don't think they could be mistaken for a few bumps.
If the rash looked more serious, or looked to be getting worse, I would have told my doctor. If you're not sure or nervous, don't go up on dose until it disappears, and if it gets a lot worse, definitely call your doctor.
Shelli
Posted by colin wallace on December 7, 2002, at 18:26:51
In reply to Re: Lamictal Rash or Hypochondria? » pork chop, posted by ShelliR on December 7, 2002, at 17:15:26
Hi,
I've been taking Lamictal for a little over three months now, and it's taken me that time to reach my current 100mg dosage.
I'm extremely med. sensitive, and started on miniscule 2 to 4mg doses for the first week, as I didn't want to take any chances with the rash.
I did notice a degree of paranoia creeping in when I'd attribute every itch or difference in skin colour to the dreaded rash- once I sprayed a leg with deep-heat before running , forgot about it and almost choked when I saw a big red rash spreading up my legs and back after showering!
That said, I've noticed that quite a few people starting at 25mgs get mild and benign, short-lived rashes that disappear in a few days or on dose reduction, and my personal view is that the starting dose for the first week at least should be 12.5 mg- just to be on the safe side and to avoid any worry.It is however, a great med. once you get to grips with it.
Posted by colin wallace on December 7, 2002, at 18:28:40
In reply to Re: Lamictal Rash or Hypochondria? » ShelliR, posted by colin wallace on December 7, 2002, at 18:26:51
Posted by pork chop on December 8, 2002, at 7:41:20
In reply to Re: Lamictal Rash or Hypochondria? » ShelliR, posted by colin wallace on December 7, 2002, at 18:26:51
Thanks for your posts guys- Today the rash is much smaller and looks to be on its way out. I went back down to 25 mg and from now on I'm going to increase in much smaller amounts.
I should have known to go more slowly because of how sensitive I am to other medications. Oh well, live and learn...
I'll let you know if anything more serious develops.
This is the end of the thread.
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