Antiepileptic drugs in mood-disordered patients.
Bipolar disorder is a common, recurrent, often severe mental disorder that, without adequate treatment, is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. We review the evidence on the efficacy of a spectrum of antiepileptic drugs (AED) in bipolar disorder. Most studies have been carried out with carbamazepine (CBZ), valproate (VPA), and lamotrigine (LTG). All three of these AEDs have been shown to be of value in the management of patients with bipolar illnesses. VPA and CBZ seem to exert stronger antimanic effects and, to a lesser degree, acute antidepressant efficacy. LTG seems to be effective against depression and mania, with a more robust activity against depression. No firm evidence supports a role for vigabatrin, tiagabine, topiramate, or levetiracetam in these disorders.
Gajwani
Prashant
P
NIMH Bipolar Research Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Mood Disorders Program, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH, USA.
Forsthoff
Anna
A
Muzina
David
D
Amann
Benedikt
B
Gao
Keming
K
Elhaj
Omar
O
Calabrese
Joseph R
JR
Grunze
Heinz
H
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; C476610:oxcarbamazepine; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine