The FDA has issued a warning that Asian patients with a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) are at increased risk of developing life-threatening Stevens Johnson syndrome rash, and should be tested for this antigen before initiating treatment. The HLA in question is identi- fied as “HLA-B 1502.” About 10% of Asian people have this allele, according to the FDA. Patients who are HLA-B 1502 posi- tive should be prescribed Tegretol only if the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. While the FDA’s warning focuses on Tegretol, it does mention that other anti- convulsants associated with SJS should be accorded the same treatment, and this would include Lamictal (lamotrigine). (The FDA alert can be accessed at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/ HCP/carbamazepineHCP.htm.)