Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Skin rash is one of the most important side effects in tretmant with lamotrigine. It' s suggested that human leukocyte antigens (HLA) which can be associated with genetic predisposition to drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions are one of the factors causing lamotrigine-induced skin rash. In this study we investigated the relationship between HLA types and lamotirigne-induced skin rash.

METHODS

30 subjects (19 women, 11 men) with epilepsy and using lamotrigine are participated to the study. Skin rash is considered as induced with lamotrigine if it started in 8 weeks after the initiation of treatment with lamotirigine. HLA genotypes in groups with and without lamotirigine induced skin rash are compared.

RESULTS

Lamotrigine induced skin rash was seen in 15 of 30 epilepsy patient taking lamotrigine treatment. Groups with and without lamotrigine induced skin rash were similar regarding age and sex. There wasn't any patient with HLA DRB1*14 and DRB1*16 HLA genotypes in lamotirigne induced skin rash group. 5 patients (%33.3) with lamotrigine induced skin rash was carrying out HLA DRB1*14 and DRB1*16 genotypes. HLA DRB1*04 was identified in 9 patient (%60) with lamotrigine induced skin rash, and in 2 patient (%13.3) without skin rash.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our study suggest that HLA DRB1*14 and DRB1*16 may be a protective and DRB1*04 may be a predisposing factor for lamotrigine induced skin rash.