title: The use of antiepileptic drugs in bipolar disorders: a review based on evidence from controlled trials.
abstract: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have diverse psychotropic profiles. Some AEDs have proven to be efficacious in the treatment of mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. Others are ineffective as primary treatments but may be useful adjuncts for mood disorders or comorbid conditions. Valproate (acute mania and mixed episodes), carbamazepine (acute mania and mixed episodes), and lamotrigine (maintenance to delay recurrence) have United States Food and Drug Administration indications for the treatment of bipolar disorder. This article provides an overview of data on the use of AEDs in bipolar disorder, including acute mania and depression, prophylaxis, and rapid cycling.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA. rweisler@aol.com
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Weisler
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cutler
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ballenger
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Terence A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ketter
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants