Sarah Mirando  |  March 19, 2013

Category: Pharmaceuticals

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Teen Develops Stevens Johnson Syndrome After Using Lamictal

By Andrea Gressman

 

Lamictal pillsSeventeen-year-old Gabrielle Corral seemed to have it all. As a California resident she was a high school cheerleader when her world was turned upside down. After being prescribed Lamictal, a drug used to treat patients with epilepsy, Gabrielle used the medication because she thought it was going to help her. Instead, it caused her to experience a living nightmare after she developed Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a severe allergic reaction to medication that has claimed the lives of many. Gabrielle’s SJS was so severe that she had to be admitted into a burn center in the Los Angeles area in order to receive the treatment necessary to save her life.

It was November 2009 when Gabrielle’s’ nightmare began. She was admitted to the hospital after taking Lamictal and developing the symptoms of Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Her treatment of this severe condition was tremendous as her medical team did everything they could to treat the painful rash she had developed as a part of the disorder. She had developed the rash inside her mouth, on her lips, as well as behind her ears. She was unable to speak, see, or even swallow and was in severe amounts of pain.

Unlike many who suffer from Stevens Johnson Syndrome and sadly pass away as a result of the condition, Gabrielle was able to recover enough to return to school. However, there were many surgeries required before this was made possible.

It has been reported that Gabrielle had to undergo several skin grafts and also lost 24 pounds during her ordeal. After she was able to return to high school she was able to return to cheerleading again. However, as part of her recovery she had to wear heavier clothing in order to protect her skin while it was still healing and she also had to wear sunglasses to protect her eyes.

Lamictal, also referred to as lamotrigine, received its approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 1994. However, it was originally approved only to treat partial seizures. In 2003, the FDA then approved Lamictal to treat bipolar disorder as well.

Lamictal is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. GSK did add a warning to the label of Lamictal about the side effect risk of developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome, but it states that SJS is most likely to occur during the first 2-8 weeks of use. It also goes on to state that patients between the ages of 2 and 16 are the most at risk for developing Stevens Johnson Syndrome. According to SJS attorneys, this warning does not adequately communicate the risks that Lamictal carries for this disorder.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a very serious condition that involves a reaction to the skin. It has been reported that the blisters developed are comparable to that of the third-degree burn. It has also been described as burning both the inside and the outside of the patient and is excruciatingly painful.

After the SJS victim develops the blisters on more than 30% of the patient’s body, it is then classified as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which is very similar to Stevens Johnson Syndrome just more severe. This often requires treatment in the ICU or the burn unit of the hospital like it did for Gabrielle. Many patients have also lost their battle with Stevens Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis and have died due to their injuries.

There are many Stevens Johnson Syndrome lawsuits that have been filed by SJS victims and their families. If you feel you may have grounds to file a SJS lawsuit visit the Stevens Johnson (SJS) & Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page right away. You can receive a free consultation from a qualified attorney that deals with drug injury lawsuits. If you have a case, these compensation experts will walk you through the litigation process at no fee to you. They do not get paid unless you do.

 

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Updated March 19th, 2013

 

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One thought on Teen Develops Stevens Johnson Syndrome After Using Lamictal

  1. Diane says:

    It’s “skin grafts” not “skin graphs”. “Graphs” are charts.

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