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Lamotrigine therapy in elderly patients with epilepsy, bipolar disorder or dementia
Author(s) -
Sajatovic Martha,
Ramsay Eugene,
Nanry Kevin,
Thompson Thomas
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1784
Subject(s) - lamotrigine , dementia , tolerability , epilepsy , psychiatry , bipolar disorder , mood , medicine , gabapentin , depression (economics) , geriatric psychiatry , mood stabilizer , pediatrics , psychology , adverse effect , disease , alternative medicine , economics , macroeconomics , pathology
In spite of circumstances that precipitate high use of anticonvulsants in geriatric populations, there is a paucity of data on the use of antiepileptic drugs in elderly patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders. Methods Reports of lamotrigine therapy in elderly patients with epilepsy, bipolar disorder (BD), or dementia were identified by conducting an electronic search of major publication databases. Abstracts and presentations from professional meetings were searched as were the bibliographies of relevant articles. Results Fourteen reports were identified, and included well‐controlled prospective trials, retrospective analyses, and case reports of lamotrigine treatment. Controlled trials in elderly patients with epilepsy demonstrate efficacy and tolerability comparable to gabapentin. Improvement in bipolar depressive symptoms, improvement in core manic symptoms, and delay in mood relapse was reported in geriatric patients with BD. Preliminary case studies in patients with dementia note improvement in cognition and symptoms of agitation and depression. Conclusion Review of the available literature suggests lamotrigine is effective and well tolerated in elderly patients with epilepsy and relatively well‐tolerated and may be effective in delaying mood relapse, particularly in the depressive pole, in patients with BD. While very limited literature suggests that lamotrigine may be effective and relatively well‐tolerated in patients with dementia, further studies are needed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.