Stevens–Johnson Syndrome with Antiseizure Meds

Clinical Takeaway

: Stevens–Johnson Syndrome/toxic epidermal necrosis most often occurs in the first few weeks after medication initiation and is more common with certain drugs, particularly lamotrigine.

Context

Stevens–Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN) are severe skin reactions that may occur when patients start certain medications, particularly antiseizure medications. Most data on risk are from studies of older antiseizure medications, while knowledge of risk with newer drugs is limited. Now, using data from Danish prescription, health, and demographic registries from 1995 to 2024, researchers have evaluated the risk of SJS/TEN in the 90 days after first prescriptions for 25 antiseizure medications.

Key Results

In the general Danish population, the 90-day risk of SJS/TEN was roughly 0.2 per 100,000; 7% of these cases occurred following antiseizure medication initiation.
The 90-day risk of SJS/TEN per 100,000 medicatio…

Reviewing Author

Tanya J.W. McDonald, M.D., Ph.D.

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportAmerican Epilepsy Society; American Heart Association