Two months after a teen’s severe allergic reaction to medication landed her in a hospital’s burn unit unable to breathe on her own, the Los Angeles student is warning others about the dangers of a little-known syndrome and the importance of researching prescriptions.
Ashley Silverman, who was prescribed Lamictal after seeking help from a therapist for mood swings, said she was told the medication would help “stabilize” her. The 14-year-old’s father, David Silverman, told Fox 11 that the prescribing psychiatrist said to watch for potential “red rash on her cheeks, like a minor sunburn.”
ANTI-VAXXER REVOLT GROWS ON REDDIT AMONG TEENS
But two weeks after she began taking the medication, which according to the FDA is used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, she developed a rash on her face, a fever and headaches. Her condition quickly deteriorated, and she was sent to Children’s Hospital LA where her skin began to blister,
“At first it was just spots on my face, then they got down my neck, then my chest, and then it started to bubble,” she told the news outlet. “I felt burning a lot and I couldn’t move and I couldn’t see, I thought I was going to die.”
“Lamictal has significant benefits for people who need it, but it also comes with a certain risk,” Dr. Peter Grossman, medical director of the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills, He wasn’t involved in Silverman’s care, but said he has seen cases involving the medication and SJS before.
Grossman also highlighted that children are at a greater risk for developing SJS as a side effect of the drug than adults.
“The onus of responsibility lies with the physician, they’re the expert that parents are coming to,And that physician should know that and should relay that information.”
“Parents better be careful what they gif their kids, and they’d better research it thoroughly,” I didn’t do that, I took the advice of a professional.”
Silverman had been connected with the psychiatrist through the recommendation of her school counselor. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which is now investigating the incident according to Fox 11, is affiliated with a non-profit health clinic in North Hills that offers mental health services to students.
“The Los Angeles Unified School District has a memorandum of understanding with [the clinic] for the provision of counseling services to students. Although we are not at liberty to comment on specific student matters, we are extremely alarmed by these photos and are fully investigating this matter,” LAUSD said in a statement, provided to Fox 11. “The safety and well being of all students remain our top priority.”
