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Antiepileptic Drugs in Mood‐Disordered Patients
Author(s) -
Gajwani Prashant,
Forsthoff Anna,
Muzina David,
Amann Benedikt,
Gao Keming,
Elhaj Omar,
Calabrese Joseph R.,
Grunze Heinz
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.463008.x
Subject(s) - lamotrigine , carbamazepine , vigabatrin , topiramate , tiagabine , bipolar disorder , levetiracetam , medicine , anticonvulsant , mania , depression (economics) , psychiatry , antidepressant , epilepsy , psychology , mood , pediatrics , anxiety , economics , macroeconomics
Summary: 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.