An open study of lamotrigine in refractory bipolar depression

Psychiatry Res. 1997 Sep 19;72(2):145-8. doi: 10.1016/s0165-1781(97)00082-6.

Abstract

Bipolar depressed patients (n = 22) who were refractory to treatment with a combination of divalproex sodium (DVP) and another mood stabilizer or DVP and an antidepressant for 6 weeks were treated in an open naturalistic study with an addition of lamotrigine to DVP. Sixteen out of 22 (72%) responded by the end of week 4 and none developed rash or switched to mania. The results of this preliminary study suggest that lamotrigine may be useful in bipolar depression.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lamotrigine
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triazines / administration & dosage*
  • Triazines / adverse effects
  • Valproic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Valproic Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Triazines
  • Valproic Acid
  • Lamotrigine