Lamotrigine and gabapentin. Alternative in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and sodium valproate have efficacy in hypomania, bipolar depression and in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorder. This paper reviews published evidence on the effects of the new anticonvulsants gabapentin and lamotrigine in bipolar disorder. The conclusion is that there is good evidence from open studies to indicate that randomised double-blind trials of these compounds should be carried out. The pharmacology of these anticonvulsants is reviewed and putative predictors of good response identified.
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University Department of Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. margaret.simpson@ncl.ac.uk
D000085:Acetates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D014227:Triazines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D000077213:Lamotrigine