A Case of Anticonvulsant Hypersensitivity Syndrome thought to be Caused by Lamotrigine

Abstract

Anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening drug reaction, which has been associated with aromatic anticonvulsants such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital. It is characterized by the triad of fever, rash and internal organ involvement, which mostly includes hepatitis. Histopathological findings usually show characteristic erythema multiforme. Lamotrigine is a new antiepileptic drug, chemically distinct from other anticonvulsant medication, however, AHS has recently been documented in patients treated with lamotrigine. We report a case of AHS in a 29-year-old man, thought to have been caused by the use of lamotrigine.