J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2006 Jul;45(4):387-391.

Hypersensitivity Reaction in a Patient Treated with Lamotrigine and Aripiprazole: a Case Report

• Roh JW
• Park HJ
• Kang UG

Abstract

We described a case of a 30-year-old female patient with bipolar disorder who experienced the anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) during treatment with lamotrigine and aripiprazole. She developed fever (38.4 degrees C), leukopenia, skin rash, and elevated serum transaminase levels on the 11th day of lamotrigine treatment (20th day of aripiprazole). Hypersensitivity to lamotrigine was suspected; lamotrigine was discontinued and prednisolone (30 mg/day) was administered to the patient. The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings showed improvement. However, on the 11th day of lamotrigine discontinuation (7th day of prednisolone treatment), she developed maculopapular skin rash over the entire body except the mucosa. There were no other symptoms and the laboratory findings were within normal limits. Skin biopsy showed erythema multiforme. After prescribing 55 mg/day of predisolone for additional 8 days, the recovery was uneventful, and it took 4 weeks from the onset of the second skin rash. Lamotrigine induced AHS showed broad spectrum of presentation and some manifestations can be flared up several days after discontinuation as did in this case. If unexplained systemic symptoms or a skin rash of unknown cause develop during the use of lamotrigine, clinicians should discontinue lamotrigine promptly and monitor the patient carefully at least for several weeks.

Keyword

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome; Aripiprazole; Erythema multiforme; Lamotrigine

MeSH Terms

Adult
Biopsy
Bipolar Disorder
Erythema Multiforme
Exanthema
Female
Fever
Humans
Hypersensitivity*
Leukopenia
Mucous Membrane
Prednisolone
Skin
Aripiprazole
Prednisolone