Suspected Lamotrigine-Associated Haematological Adverse Reaction in the Context of Polypharmacy, Alcohol Use, HIV, and Recent Medication Changes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: This is a case report of an adult male with well-controlled HIV infection who developed fever, malaise, myalgia and headache within 24-48 hours of commencing lamotrigine. Laboratory investigations demonstrated acute leukopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, accompanied by elevated inflammatory markers. Following withdrawal of lamotrigine, constitutional symptoms improved rapidly, while haematological and inflammatory markers demonstrated an overall trend towards recovery over subsequent days, although some laboratory abnormalities transiently persisted or worsened before normalising. This case highlights the importance of considering drug-induced haematological toxicity in patients presenting with fever and constitutional symptoms shortly after initiating lamotrigine, as prompt recognition and discontinuation may facilitate rapid recovery.
Source: Cureus
Authors: Tolulope Alabi, Anil Kumar
Institution: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7171808829