Posted by SalArmy4me on February 19, 2001, at 6:00:39
In reply to Lamictal dosing (and fibromyalgia), posted by Cece on February 16, 2001, at 0:09:33
You have very little to fear about Lamictal rashes.
The fears over Lamictal (lamotrigine) rashes are unfounded. The chance of having a mild to moderate rash are 3%--according to clinical trials. But clinical trials done years ago do not necessarily predict the incidence of side-effects now. Besides, most of these rashes were due to taking a combination of Valproate and Lamictal, and they resolved without hospital stays. I believe that the chance of a seizure from Wellbutrin is much higher, and the chance of a hypertensive crisis with phenelzine is a little higher. But people aren't afraid of Wellbutrin as they are with Lamictal (because Lamictal is new, I assume).
The chance of having a severe rash leading to hospitalization is reported as 0.3%. With those odds, it is easier to get hit by
lightening than it is to have a Lamictal rash. Point in case: You never hear in the paper about someone severely harmed
by Lamictal.
I have taken Lamictal for one year with a moderate benefit and absolutely no side-effects. I believe that Lamictal will replace Lithium as the drug of choice in bipolar disorder in 10 years, due to its prominent antidepressant effect and benign side-effect profile.
poster:SalArmy4me
thread:54122
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54362.html