Lamotrigine: a review of clinical studies in bipolar disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews published studies on the use of lamotrigine in the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD).


METHODS
We performed a Medline search to identify the literature data base available on double-blind, open-label studies and case series on the use of lamotrigine to treat BD.


RESULTS
Three double-blind studies, 3 open-label studies, and 2 case series have been conducted to date (n = 401 patients). Most patients were either nonresponders or partial responders to other mood stabilizers. Overall, 50% to 83% of the patients responded to lamotrigine; doses in the studies ranged from 50 to 400 mg daily. Switching to mania while on 200 mg of lamotrigine or more was extremely rare, and there were no reports of serious adverse effects during the study periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Lamotrigine is proving to be an effective agent in the treatment of BD and may be useful for patients who have not responded to other mood stabilizers.
Zerjav-Lacombe
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Department of Pharmacy, Riverview Hospital, 500 Lougheed Highway, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 4J2. szerjav@bcmhs.bc.ca
Tabarsi
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D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine