[News] FDA Revises Warning Label of Lamictal

[Nakamova]

Lamictal has been associated with 40 cases of aseptic meningitis, and as a result has been required to revise its FDA warning label. Article here:


http://www.emaxhealth.com/1506/fda-r...laxosmithkline

[Birdbomb]

That's a very nasty side effect! Especially for those of us who fall into THIS group.

Some of the treated patients had underlying diagnoses of systemic lupus erthematosus or other autoimmune diseases. Some patients developed abnormalities in the liver and kidneys, possibly indicating a hypersensitivity or generalized drug reaction.

[alivenwell]

From what I read, it has that effect when it is initally administered.

[Endless]

My PCP keeps an eagle eye on me when I'm ramping up on any of this stuff. She's more easily assessible, and frankly, has more time than my epileptologist. She takes more extensive blood tests, more often than my epileptologist. She's also the first person I call when I have side effects, then I call my epileptologist later. Some things can't be detected easily with tests, though.

I've come to think almost ANYTHING can be traced back to these drugs. Right now I'm struggling with really sore muscles and joints, blurry vision, headaches, stupid thinking, sleeping all the time, and a stiff neck (but not from meningitis). I feel like I've been hit by a truck. My epileptologist says some of this is not from Lamictal or trileptal - "it just doesn't do that". My pharmacist and PCP says it probably is from the drugs. I think they are right.

[Nakamova]

When I first went on Lamictal I had blurry vision (still do), weight gain, and hair loss, among other side effects. My neurologist insisted that these were NOT from Lamictal, but were caused by diabetes instead. Grrr! I am not in any of the risk categories for diabetes, and have not suddenly developed it. But I have developed a strong dislike for my neurologist.

On the other hand, I just saw my new primary care doc. She's worried about possible Lamictal-related leukopenia (slightly low white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, and hematocrit) and has referred me to a hematologist just to be on the safe side. Stay tuned...