title: Identifying the incidence of rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in patients taking lamotrigine: a systematic review of 122 randomized controlled trials.
abstract: Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug used for the treatment of epilepsy, bipolar disorder and numerous off-label uses. The development of rash significantly affects its use. The most concerning of these adverse reactions is Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials using lamotrigine as a monotherapy to quantify the incidence of cutaneous reactions, particularly Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis. Of a total of 4,364 papers regarding lamotrigine, 122 studies met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. In total, 18,698 patients were included with 1,570 (8.3%) of patients experiencing an adverse dermatologic reaction. The incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis was 0.04%.
authors.affiliation: Northshore University Health System, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine - Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Romi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.affiliation: University of California Irvine, Department of Dermatology - Irvine, California.
authors.forename: Kyle T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Amber
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D015994:Incidence; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D014227:Triazines