LAMOTRIGINE AND GABAPENTIN - ALTERNATIVES IN THE TREATMENT OF BIPOLARDISORDER

The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and sodium valproate have efficacy i n hypomania, bipolar depression and in the prophylaxis of bipolar diso rder. This paper reviews published evidence on the effects of the new anticonvulsants gabapentin and lamotrigine in bipolar disorder. The co nclusion is that there is good evidence from open studies to indicate that randomised double-blind trials of these compounds should be carri ed out. The pharmacology of these anticonvulsants is reviewed and puta tive predictors of good response identified.