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Lamotrigine rash

Topic: Pharmacology

Created on Sunday, December 23 2007 by jdmiles

Last modified on Sunday, December 23 2007.

You are starting a patient on lamotrigine for seizures. While you are discussing side effects, she states that she has heard that a serious rash is a common side effect of this drug, and asks you about it. Which of the following statements would be most appropriate to tell her?

 
        A) The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment
 
        B) She's thinking of a different drug
 
        C) Coadministration of valproic acid decreases the risk of rash with lamotrigine
 
        D) The risk of rash is extremely low
 
        E) The risk of rash is higher in adults than in children
 

 


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This question was created on December 23, 2007 by jdmiles.
This question was last modified on December 23, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS




A) The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment

This answer is correct.


Lamotrigine is associated with a fairly high risk of a serious rash. This may occur in as many as 10% of patients taking this drug. A significant percentage of these patients may progress on to the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rash is more common in children than in adults, and is more common in patients who are also taking valproic acid. The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment with lamotrigine, and can be reduced by slowly titrating the dosage up over time.   (See References)

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B) She's thinking of a different drug

This answer is incorrect.


Lamotrigine is associated with a fairly high risk of a serious rash. This may occur in as many as 10% of patients taking this drug. A significant percentage of these patients may progress on to the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rash is more common in children than in adults, and is more common in patients who are also taking valproic acid. The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment with lamotrigine, and can be reduced by slowly titrating the dosage up over time.   (See References)

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C) Coadministration of valproic acid decreases the risk of rash with lamotrigine

This answer is incorrect.


Lamotrigine is associated with a fairly high risk of a serious rash. This may occur in as many as 10% of patients taking this drug. A significant percentage of these patients may progress on to the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rash is more common in children than in adults, and is more common in patients who are also taking valproic acid. The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment with lamotrigine, and can be reduced by slowly titrating the dosage up over time.   (See References)

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D) The risk of rash is extremely low

This answer is incorrect.


Lamotrigine is associated with a fairly high risk of a serious rash. This may occur in as many as 10% of patients taking this drug. A significant percentage of these patients may progress on to the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rash is more common in children than in adults, and is more common in patients who are also taking valproic acid. The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment with lamotrigine, and can be reduced by slowly titrating the dosage up over time.   (See References)

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E) The risk of rash is higher in adults than in children

This answer is incorrect.


Lamotrigine is associated with a fairly high risk of a serious rash. This may occur in as many as 10% of patients taking this drug. A significant percentage of these patients may progress on to the Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rash is more common in children than in adults, and is more common in patients who are also taking valproic acid. The risk of rash is highest within the first 6 weeks of treatment with lamotrigine, and can be reduced by slowly titrating the dosage up over time.   (See References)

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References:

1. Browne, T.R., & Holmes, G.L. (2004). Handbook of Epilepsy, 3rd Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. (ISBN:0781743524) Advertising:
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pharmacology
Lamotrigine rash
Question ID: 122307198
Question written by J. Douglas Miles, (C) 2006-2009, all rights reserved.
Created: 12/23/2007
Modified: 12/23/2007
Estimated Permutations: 2400

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