Lamotrigine-induced aseptic meningitis: a case report

Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009 May;24(3):159-61. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0b013e32832a8edc.

Abstract

Aseptic meningitis could be a rare side effect of lamotrigine. Aseptic meningitis is a clinical condition where symptoms, signs and laboratory findings are consistent with meningeal inflammation but routine bacterial cultures are negative. Clinical presentation of aseptic meningitis is similar to bacterial meningitis with prominent symptoms of fever, headache and neck stiffness. Drug-induced aseptic meningitis is an uncommon adverse effect of several drugs. The most common ones are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous immunoglobulins, intrathecal agents and vaccines. Disease manifestations vary with different drugs. A few cases of lamotrigine-induced aseptic meningitis have been published earlier. This is the fifth case reported of lamotrigine-induced aseptic meningitis. However, this is the first case which is associated with a second episode on rechallenge of lamotrigine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimanic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antimanic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bipolar Disorder / complications
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lamotrigine
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / blood
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / chemically induced*
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Triazines / adverse effects*
  • Triazines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Triazines
  • Lamotrigine