Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2007 Jun;27(2):140-142.

Lamotrigine-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome Accompanied with Aseptic Meningitis

Abstract

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM) is a rare manifestation of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome. Lamotrigine is a non-aromatic anticonvulsant drug with antidepressant activity and widely used nowadays. So far, several cases of lamotrigine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome have been reported. However, there has been only one case report of lamotrigine-induced DIAM worldwide. A 33-year- old woman with an 8-year history of bipolar disorder was hospitalized, complaining of fever, a generalized maculopapular rash, leucocytopenia, hepatic dysfunction, and lymphadenopathy which developed 10 days after initiation of lamotrigine treatment. In addition, she presented menin-geal irritation signs, and cerebrospinal fluid examination showed pleocytosis, an increased protein concentration, and a normal glucose level. However, no evidence of an infectious condition was found. Based on clinical and laboratory findings, we diagnosed her as having lamotrigine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome with DIAM and administered methylprednisolone systemically. Her clinical symptoms quickly improved and abnormal laboratory findings were normalized. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of lamotrigine-induced DIAM in Korea.

MeSH Terms

Bipolar Disorder
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Exanthema
Female
Fever
Glucose
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Korea
Leukocytosis
Lymphatic Diseases
Meningitis, Aseptic*
Methylprednisolone
Glucose
Methylprednisolone