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Filing a Lamictal Lawsuit may be an option for individuals who experienced a severe and potentially life-threatening immune reaction called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) while using this drug to treat epileptic seizures or bipolar disorder.

Arrange for a Free Lamictal Lawsuit Review

The nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP is now evaluating potential legal claims on behalf of individuals who developed HLH while using Lamictal, or their surviving loved one. Please call our office today at (888) 994-5118 to arrange for your free, no-obligation Lamictal lawsuit consultation.

Lamictal: What’s the Problem?

GlaxoSmithKline obtained U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market Lamictal (lamotrigine) in 1994.

The drug is currently indicated for:

• Use in combination therapy to treat epileptic seizures in patients 2 years and older.
• As monotherapy to treat epileptic seizures in patients 16 years and older.
• As a maintenance treatment in adults with bipolar disorder to help delay the occurrence of mood episodes such as depression, mania, or hypomania.

In April 2018, the FDA warned that Lamictal had been associated with reports of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe immune reaction that can lead to hospitalization and death if not treated quickly.

According to a Drug Safety Communication dated April 24^th, eight cases of confirmed or suspected HLH among adults or children taking lamotrigine were reported to the FDA’s adverse events database and/or the medical literature from December 1994 through September 2017. Two cases occurred in the United States and six occurred abroad.

All patients were hospitalized due to HLH, and all cases had serious outcomes. One patient died.

“All cases had a plausible temporal relationship with lamotrigine, occurring within 24 days of starting lamotrigine treatment,” the FDA said. “Doses ranged from 25 mg every other day to 250 mg once daily in the six cases that reported this information. In seven cases, HLH improved after treatment and discontinuation of Lamictal, and one case did not improve and had a fatal outcome.”

Lamictal and HLH

HLH can cause severe inflammation, or swelling, throughout the body, and lead to hospitalization, organ damage, and even death, especially if treatment is delayed.

Symptoms of HLH can occur within 8 to 24 days after the first dose of Lamictal is taken. Lamictal patients should contact their doctor if they experience symptoms of HLH at any time during their treatment.

The signs and symptoms of HLH include:

• Fever, usually >101°F
• Enlarged liver; symptoms may include pain, tenderness, or unusual swelling over the liver area in the upper right belly
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Skin rashes
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Unusual bleeding
• Nervous system problems, including seizures, trouble walking, difficulty seeing or other visual disturbances.

Patients should talk with their doctor if they have any questions or concerns about Lamictal.

Do not stop taking Lamictal without first consulting a health care professional. Stopping suddenly can potentially cause uncontrolled seizures, or new or worsening mental health problem.

Contact a Lamictal Attorney Today

You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and more if you or someone you love developed HLH while taking Lamictal. To learn more about your options for filing a Lamictal lawsuit, please call (888) 994-5118 to arrange for a free, no-obligation review of your case.