Lamotrigine Induced Dystonia in a Patient with Bipolar Affective Disorder

Abstract

Lamotrigine is a first drug since lithium approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar type I. Lamotrigine-induced extrapyramidal side effects are rarely reported in literatures. In this letter, we have presented a case of Bipolar disorder which has induced dystonia to lamotrigine. Lamotrigine is a phenyltriazine derivative [1] which was originally approved by USA Food & Drug Administration for partial complex and generalized seizures. It was also recommended for treating bipolar affective disorder by British association for psychopharmacology in 2009 [2]. Lamotrigine is generally well tolerated. However, the most common adverse effects due to lamotrigine are nausea, headache, dizziness, ataxia, diplopia, somnolence, and tremor. Beside these, skin eruptions, arthralgia, haematological abnormalities comprised of leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes are also reported [3]. Some psychiatric problems are also associated with lamotrigine use, which are rarely reported in literature.