Posted by SLS on April 5, 2001, at 10:05:55
In reply to Re: New mood-stabilizers ?, posted by SalArmy4me on April 5, 2001, at 2:42:34
Sal,
> Tiagabine is mentioned in the Tips, but
> I personally don't believe that anything other than gabapentin, lamotrigine, or topiramate will be needed for bipolar disorder
I am curious what would motivate you to make such an assertion. It is rather bold.
If medical science had thought this way twenty years ago about its armamentarium of tricyclics and MAO-inhibitors, we would not have Prozac, Serzone, Remeron, Wellbutrin, etc. The clinicians at that time felt that they could help 85% of people using those two classes of antidepressants. (The 85% number was quoted me by Michael Liebowitz in 1982). Those odds really aren't so bad. Why look for new drugs?
As far as my position in life is concerned, I can't afford to concur with your opinion. Besides, it doesn't seem to be an opinion shared by clinical and research psychopharmacologist. I am happy about that. :-) Hell, even Robert M. Post can't juggle those three drugs and successfully treat all of his patients at the NIMH.
> (I have taken them all and they are all good).
If you have found your answer within the boundaries of the current pharmacopoeia, I am happy for you. There are others who haven't. In addition, it would be nice to produce other mood-stabilizers without the side effects associated with those you have mentioned.
What about Tegretol or Depakote? I am sure you can find things about these drugs that are not desirable, but some people rely on them to remain a member of society, often without experiencing significant side effects. Does lithium still occupy a unique niche in pharmacotherapy, or can everyone currently taking it just replace it with one of the three you have suggested and remain well? Personally, I would be scared to tell anyone that.
- Scott
P.S. I hope you are right.
>
> > Two new anticonvulsants are being investigated through preliminary studies for their potential to be of benefit to people suffering from bipolar disorder, including those who have not adequately responded to current available treatments. Their mechanisms of action appear to be very different from the other anticonvulsants.
> >
> > levetiracetam (Keppra)
> > zonisamide (Zonegan)
> >
> > Another relatively new anticonvulsant, tiagabine (Gabitril), has been used from time to time for bipolar disorder, but I haven't seen anyone on Psycho-Babble describe their experience with it.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
poster:SLS
thread:58657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/58786.html