Lamotrigine Associated DRESS Syndrome – a Case Report

Abstract

Drug-induced delayed multiorgan hypersensitivity syndrome, also known as drug rash (reaction) with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, represents a drug-induced cluster of skin, hematologic and systemic symptoms. More than forty drugs have been associated with this syndrome. We present a case of DRESS syndrome suspecting that lamotrigine was directly responsible for the patient’s rash and other symptoms. A female patient presented with extensive skin rash, fever, hematologic abnormalities, organ involvement such as hepatitis, pancreatitis and respiratory symptoms. The symptoms developed four weeks after the initiation of the offending drug, and disappeared eight weeks after its discontinuation.