[Lamotrigine and its relationship with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis]

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2020 Apr 13;58(2):202-205. doi: 10.24875/RMIMSS.M20000018.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug that has been widely used for epilepsy, as a mood stabilizer (for type 1 bipolar disorder) and in the management of neuropathic pain, it is used both in monotherapy and in complementary therapy. Considered relatively new, approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1994, its benefits include a greater margin of safety compared to other anticonvulsants. However, although in a lower percentage, it causes severe adverse skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. A review is made about the probable pathways that trigger this delayed hypersensitivity immune response.

La lamotrigina es un fármaco anticonvulsivo que ha sido utilizado ampliamente para tratar la epilepsia, como estabilizador del ánimo (en casos de trastorno bipolar tipo 1) y en el manejo del dolor neuropático; se usa tanto en monoterapia como en terapia complementaria. Considerado como un medicamento relativamente nuevo, aprobado por la Food and Drug Administration en 1994, dentro de sus beneficios se encuentra un mayor margen de seguridad en comparación con otros anticonvulsivos; sin embargo, aunque en menor porcentaje, es causa de reacciones cutáneas adversas graves, como el síndrome de Stevens-Johnson y la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica. En el presente estudio se realiza una revisión de las probables vías que desencadenan esta respuesta inmunitaria de hipersensibilidad tardía.

Keywords: Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Lamotrigine; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; Toxic Epidermal Necrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Lamotrigine / adverse effects
  • Skin
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome* / etiology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Lamotrigine