I GOT THE Lamactil RASH!! - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

hurtalot · 09-30-2006, 12:53 PM

I started on 2 25mg a day for bipolar I and two days later i had to stop becuase, nearly my entire body is covered in a bad itchy rash. I have been to the ER twice already and they say its not SJS yet, gave me some prednisone through an IV and also in pill form, today the rash is getting worse and i have been of the lamactil since thursday morning. Has anyone else had this and what was the outcome. Scary stuff. I have never been allergic to any other med before and i have taken lots of stuff.

Thanks

goody2shuz · 09-30-2006, 01:22 PM

Did you start out on 225mgs???? Without titrating up slowly??? Or did you take 25mgs twice a day??? Even that is alot....usually you are to start out at 25mg/day for a few weeks and then titrate up slowly from there.

Wow....if your doctor started you on 225mgs without doing so slowly then I would say that you should find yourself another doctor!!! Lamictal is usually started at 25mgs for a few weeks and then 25mg increases a week at a a time until you are at the dosage you need to be at in order to prevent that SJS rash!!

The rash will get worse so long as the Lamictal is still in your system. I would make sure you continue to take that prednisone meticulously and if you worsen get yourself back to the ER!! I do not want to scare you but what is happening outside your body is happening inside it as well!! This rash can get to the point of almost 2nd to 3rd degree burns and can be fatal so please make sure you take care of yourself.

If the rash is giving you no relief I hear oatmeal baths will help....it's almost as if when it is dry it is pure agony. I never had it but heard of people who did and it is not a pleasant experience.

Please do not hesitate to go back to the hospital if things do not improve. The rash is not something to take lightly and you have every right to be alarmed.

Keep us posted as to how things are going. I wish you well.....my daughter is on Lamictal and has been on it for over a month and only on 25mgs starting at 10mgs since she is very sensitive to other meds and has gotten rashes.

Good luck ~ Goody

scarsolar · 09-30-2006, 02:30 PM

Yeah, my mom and i are watching it and its gotten somewhat worse overnight, i haven't started oozing anywhere and its not in my mouth or eyes (yet) I haven't taken the lamactil for since thursday around noon. Since i stopped it then shouldn't i be expected to clear up faster? We are probably going back to the ER tonight if it progresses.

ps. Yes, i was on 25 mg twice a day.

Sophia85 · 09-30-2006, 02:41 PM

Hey,

I got the Lamictal rash too when I took it. I basically ended up covered in red spots--- looked like I had the chicken pox. My pdoc said it was the worst case of the Lamictal rash she had ever personally seen. You could literally sit there and watch it spreading over my body. I ended up in the Emergency Room getting IV solumedral and benedryl. Also had a prescription for prednisone.

It took quite a few days even after stopping the drug for it to stop getting worse and to eventually clear up. So don't be worried if it doesn't immediately clear up. I would say that it took almost 2 weeks for me to be entirely back to normal.

Shana

goody2shuz · 09-30-2006, 02:42 PM

So long as you stopped the Lamictal as soon as you noticed the rash you should be okay it's when you keep on feeding it the Lamictal that it becomes a problem. It's a relief that it was 25mg twice a day rather than what I originally thought!! Still that is a large dose to start out with.

I would think that the rash should get better....but it does take time. There was another boarder here who recently got the rash and I recall her saying that the second day was worse but she seems to be okay now. I am sure that she will pop on here and share her experience....the weekends are slow around here so I thought I would try to help out.

It is up to you whether to go on to the ER....so long as the mucous membranes are not involved you should be okay....just make sure you stay away from scented lotions or fragrances that may aggravate the rash.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Good luck ~ Goody