Woman Loses Sight After Rare Reaction to Mood-Stabilizing Drug

A woman from St. Petersburg has lost her sight after taking a prescribed mood-stabilising drug. Daria, who began using lamotrigine four years ago, developed a rare but severe reaction that left her with permanent damage. Her case has since prompted others with similar experiences to come forward.

Daria was initially given lamotrigine as a treatment for mood stabilisation, though the drug is not classified as an antidepressant. Within months, she suffered a high fever and a painful skin rash—symptoms later identified as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening condition.

Doctors struggled to diagnose her quickly, delaying critical treatment. The syndrome caused lasting harm, particularly to her eyes. Her tear glands atrophied, and a cataract formed, severely impairing her vision. The damage was so extensive that she was later classified with a first-degree disability. Since sharing her story, Daria has connected with nearly 30 others who claim to have suffered severe side effects from lamotrigine. While individual reports of adverse reactions exist, no comprehensive database—such as WHO VigiBase or national pharmacovigilance records—provides a total count of similar cases in Russia or globally over the past five years.

Daria's experience has led to a growing group of affected individuals seeking recognition of their conditions. Her case highlights the risks of rare but devastating drug reactions. The long-term effects, including permanent vision loss, remain a concern for those who have taken lamotrigine.