Depression mood stabilisation: novel concepts and clinical management.
No currently available mood stabiliser has equivalent efficacy in both phases of bipolar disorder; therefore, patients may require combination therapy with agents that possess complementary mood-stabilising properties. Emerging data demonstrate that combination therapy with lamotrigine, other mood stabilisers, and/or short-term antidepressants or antipsychotics, is a realistic treatment option. Lamotrigine has a side-effect profile compatible with treatment adherence and is well tolerated in combination therapy. Practical guidance is provided on the use of lamotrigine in combination therapy. Lamotrigine represents a valuable addition to the current therapeutic armamentarium for bipolar disorder, allowing a therapeutic balance between the treatment of mania and depression.
Calabrese
Joseph R
JR
Case Western Reserve University, MD 11400 Euclid Avenue, Suite 200, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. calabrese@uhhs.com
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D013997:Time Factors; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine