title: Hypersensitivity to lamotrigine and nonaromatic anticonvulsant drugs: a review.
abstract: Lamotrigine and nonaromatic antiepileptic drugs (valproate, gabapentin, and topiramate) are associated with hypersensitivity reactions, mainly cutaneous eruptions. The underlying mechanisms of these manifestations are not yet completely understood. A cell-mediated pathogenic mechanism has been demonstrated in some cases on the basis of positive patch tests and/or lymphocyte transformation tests. Moreover, an in vitro lymphocyte toxicity assay, which exposes the patient's lymphocytes to arene oxides, has detected lymphocyte susceptibility to toxic metabolites in patients with hypersensitivity reactions to lamotrigine. Subjects with a history of mild hypersensitivity reactions and negative allergologic tests can be challenged with the suspected drugs. Challenge tests can also be useful to identify safe alternatives. Our study reports hypersensitivity reactions to lamotrigine and to nonaromatic antiepileptic drugs, especially those assessed by allergologic tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, UCSC-Allergy Unit, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gaeta
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alonzi
authors.forename: Rocco Luigi
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Valluzzi
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elia
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine