Long-term outcome of bipolar depressed patients receiving lamotrigine as add-on to lithium with the possibility of the addition of paroxetine in nonresponders: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a novel design.

Objective: In two previous manuscripts, we described the efficacy of lamotrigine versus placebo as add-on to lithium (followed by the addition of paroxetine in nonresponders) in the short-term treatment of bipolar depression. In this paper we describe the long-term (68 weeks) outcome of that study.

Methods: A total of 124 bipolar depressed patients receiving lithium were randomized to addition of lamotrigine or placebo.

Efficacy and safety of lamotrigine as add-on treatment to lithium in bipolar depression: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: Lamotrigine is one of the pharmacologic options for the treatment of bipolar depression but has only been studied as monotherapy. This study compared the acute effects of lamotrigine and placebo as add-on therapy to ongoing treatment with lithium in patients with bipolar depression.

Method: Outpatients (N = 124) aged 18 years and older with a DSM-IV bipolar I or II disorder and a major depressive episode (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS] score > or = 18 and Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Version [CGI-BP] severity of depression score > or = 4) while receiving lithium treatment (0.

Self-reported psychopathological symptoms and quality of life in outpatients with bipolar disorder.

Purpose: Patients with bipolar disorder in a euthymic mood state can suffer from subsyndromal or residual symptoms of depression or hypomania. This study was undertaken to gain insight into the broader spectrum of psychopathological symptoms and quality of life.

Design And Methods: Participants (n = 157) completed the Symptoms Checklist-90, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Bref, and a questionnaire addressing demographic and clinical characteristics.

Prophylactic efficacy of lithium versus carbamazepine in treatment-naive bipolar patients.

Background: Alternatives to lithium for prophylactic treatment of patients with bipolar affective disorders are increasingly being advocated. However, trials comparing lithium with alternatives are scarce and often biased.

Method: We studied 94 patients with at least 2 episodes of bipolar disorder (DSM-III-R) during the previous 3 years who were in remission at entry into the study.