Psychiatric Drugs: Deadly Reaction

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post, but there is a serious situation I witnessed the past two weeks that parents of children on Psychiatric medications need to be aware of.

I know a 6 year old youngster who is currently on a regime of medications that frightens me: Focalin XR, Risperdal, Lamictal, Clonidine, and Benzotropine all at lunchtime! Focalin is an ADD medication, Risperdal is an antipsychotic, Lamictal is a seizure medication (used here for mood stabilization), Clonidine is a blood pressure medication (used here for calming effects), and Benzotropine has antihistamine properties. This little boy just turned six!

Two weeks ago, he had a small, dime-sized pinpoint rash on his lower cheek. I was aware that Lamictal is a medication that can have a deadly rash side-effect if the body can not process this medication; however this resembled a small "whisker burn", as if he had hugged his dad before school. In fact, I called home and dad did confirm a big hug and kiss before school that morning.

Later in the day, a dime-sized raised area appeared on the opposite cheek. Again, a call home and the parents reported this to the psychiatrist who ordered to stop the Lamictal immediately. Three days later, the child appeared at school with a pinpoint rash over his stomach and back, and he was listless and sleepy. He was running a fever of 102. The parents took him to the Emergency Room, where tests showed nothing abnormal, he was given IV fluids and sent home.

Three days later, he returned back to school with a full body rash that is dark red to purple in color, with large spots that have filled in to create a skin color in many areas that is red/purple. His face is swollen, his eyes are swollen, and he has a blank facial expression. My thoughts were that this child is now in the process of experiencing Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare serious disorder in which the skin and mucous membranes react severely to a medication. This can be deadly, because the skin affected can slough and die, large areas of skin can become infected, and the person may need treatment similar to having had a severe burn.

Parents, please be very aware of the medications your child is taking, and the side effects or warnings that might accompany that medication. I will keep you posted on the status of this young child.