A woman experienced severe burns and blisters on her face due to a reaction triggered by her depression medication. Rushed to the hospital, the 42-year-old had red, blistered skin on her face, head, neck, and torso. Doctors determined that the prescribed drug, lamotrigine, intended to manage her depression, likely induced toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a rare and life-threatening skin disorder characterized by extensive blistering, skin necrosis, and detachment.
Although uncommon, past cases of reactions to lamotrigine had been documented. The patient’s symptoms began three weeks prior, progressively worsening until she required urgent ICU treatment, particularly for her facial injuries. During her hospital stay of 66 days, she received a regimen of antibiotics and antibacterial biomaterial for tissue regeneration, showing signs of improvement within four days. Continuous evaluations every other day monitored her progress as her skin slowly healed.
Follow-up images displayed the remarkable recovery progress, with doctors describing the restored areas as “excellent” during her post-discharge appointment. Treated at Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo in Brazil, the woman’s recovery journey showcased significant improvement, with visible reduction in scarring.
Lamotrigine, widely prescribed in the UK for depression, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy, has been associated with such adverse reactions.
