title: Fulminant hepatitis induced by lamotrigine.
abstract: Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction presenting with fever, skin eruptions, and internal organ involvement. We describe a case of AHS with fulminant hepatitis that occurred two weeks after introduction of lamotrigine in a 40-year-old female patient with a recently diagnosed bipolar disorder, no pre-existent systemic organ involvement, and no other medication. Lamotrigine was introduced at a dosage of 25 mg daily and increased to 50 mg daily 12 days later. The patient had favorable evolution with cessation of lamotrigine and supportive treatment. This report suggests that AHS with fulminant hepatitis may occur idiosyncratically, independent of dosage, titration and comedication with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ouellet
authors.forename: Lydjie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marleau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine