Lamotrigine and Rash: Scratching Beneath the Surface

That lamotrigine is an effective medication in the treatment of epilepsy and psychiatric disease is not debatable. Numerous well-designed clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy and safety in both neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Why, then, do many practitioners in neurology as well as psychiatry steer away from using this medication? Clearly, it seems that the "rash issue" taints the perception of safety.