Cutaneous drug eruptions by current antiepileptics: case reports and alternative treatment options

Clin Neuropharmacol. 2008 Mar-Apr;31(2):93-6. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0b013e31806ad6cb.

Abstract

Serious cutaneous drug eruptions due to antiepileptics have been defined for many drugs like carbamazepine, diphenylhydantoin, phenytoin and valproate. In recent years, adverse cutaneous reactions due to the current antiepileptic drugs have also been reported. In this paper, two cases are presented: a 48-year-old female receiving gabapentin for postherpetic neuralgia who developed leukocytoclastic vasculitis after 8 weeks and a 23-year-old male receiving lamotrigine for epileptic seizures who developed toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) in 15 days. Alternative therapy approaches with practical suggestions are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amines / adverse effects*
  • Antiemetics / adverse effects*
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / adverse effects*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Lamotrigine
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / etiology*
  • Triazines / adverse effects*
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous / chemically induced*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Antiemetics
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Triazines
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin
  • Lamotrigine