An open study of lamotrigine in refractory bipolar depression.
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.
Kusumakar
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Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Yatham
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LN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014227:Triazines; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine