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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 18:12:47
Does anyone know of any studies about Lamictal for unipolar depression? What's the consensus?
Thanks!
Posted by ed_uk on March 26, 2005, at 18:35:12
In reply to Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 18:12:47
Lamotrigine = Lamictal
Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003 Mar;18(2):97-9.
Lamotrigine augmentation in unipolar depression.A significant number of patients with unipolar depression fail to achieve remission after one or a series of antidepressants. We present the results of a retrospective chart review of the efficacy and tolerability of lamotrigine as an augmentation drug in treatment-resistant unipolar depression. A previous absence of a response was defined as the clinically significant presence of depressive symptomatology after 6 weeks of treatment with an antidepressant, with at least 3 weeks at the maximum dose tolerated by the patient. The patients were rated retrospectively using the Clinical Global Impression rating scale. Seventy-six percent of the patients improved. Gender, age, basal severity of the episode and degree of previous non response were not statistically significantly associated with response to lamotrigine augmentation. Comorbidity showed a tendency to be negatively related with response to lamotrigine. Three patients abandoned the treatment with lamotrigine due to side-effects. Complaints were excessive somnolence, headache, dizziness, nausea and malaise. Data suggest that lamotrigine is a promising drug for treatment-refractory unipolar depression. Double-blind studies are necessary to confirm its use as an augmentation agent.
J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Aug;63(8):737-41.Lamotrigine as an augmentation agent in treatment-resistant depression.
BACKGROUND: The anticonvulsant lamotrigine has been reported to be efficacious and well tolerated as monotherapy in the treatment of bipolar patients as well as in treatment-refractory bipolar disorder. However, there is a paucity of research on the use of lamotrigine as an augmentation agent in treatment-refractory unipolar major depressive disorder. METHOD: This study was a retrospective chart review on the efficacy of lamotrigine augmentation in 37 individuals diagnosed with chronic or recurrent major depressive disorder (DSM-IV) who had failed to respond adequately to at least 2 previous trials of antidepressants. Thirty-one patients who were on lamotrigine treatment for at least 6 weeks (6 discontinued prematurely due to adverse events) took a mean dose of 112.90 mg/day for a mean of 41.80 weeks. The primary efficacy parameter for this study was the Clinical Global Impressions scale, which was retrospectively applied. In addition, these data were supplemented by an analysis of prospectively rated Global Assessment of Functioning scores. RESULTS: On the basis of intent-to-treat analysis, response rates were as follows: 40.5% (15/37) much improved or very much improved, 21.6% (8/37) mildly improved, and 37.8% (14/37) unchanged. The percentage of patients who were rated much or very much improved and completed 6 weeks on the drug was 48.4% (15/31). No differences were found in the doses of lamotrigine given to responders and nonresponders. CONCLUSION: Analyses revealed that lamotrigine treatment was most effective for patients who had been depressed for shorter periods of time and had failed fewer previous trials of antidepressants. Data also suggested a trend toward increased response for patients with comorbid anxiety disorders and/or chronic pain syndromes.
J Clin Psychiatry. 2002 Apr;63(4):337-44.Lamotrigine as adjunct to paroxetine in acute depression: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
BACKGROUND: Mood stabilizers appear to be more potent in treating mania than depression. The anticonvulsant lamotrigine has been shown to be effective for bipolar depression. This study examines putative antidepressive properties of lamotrigine in a mainly unipolar routine clinical patient population. METHOD: Forty patients with a depressive episode (DSM-IV criteria) requiring psychiatric intervention received lamotrigine or placebo using a fixed dose escalation scheme with a target dose of 200 mg/day for 9 weeks. Additionally, all patients were treated with paroxetine. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Clinical Global Impressions scale (CGI) ratings were used to monitor therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS: Adjunctive treatment with lamotrigine did not result in a significant difference in HAM-D total score at the endpoint of the study when compared with paroxetine alone. However, lamotrigine demonstrated significant efficacy on core depressive symptoms as reflected by HAM-D items 1 (depressed mood; p = .0019), 2 (guilt feelings; p = .0011), and 7 (work and interest; p = .049) and the CGI-Severity of Illness scale (p < .0001). Patients receiving lamotrigine had fewer days on treatment with benzodiazepines and fewer withdrawals for treatment failure. Lamotrigine appeared to accelerate the onset of action of the antidepressant. Two patients on lamotrigine treatment developed neutropenia, and 1 developed a benign rash. There was no detectable pharmacokinetic interaction between lamotrigine and paroxetine. CONCLUSION: Lamotrigine might have antidepressive properties in unipolar patients and may accelerate onset of action when given in combination with typical antidepressants.
Posted by Maxime on March 27, 2005, at 12:27:32
In reply to Lamictal for unipolar depression?, posted by Racer on March 26, 2005, at 18:12:47
> Does anyone know of any studies about Lamictal for unipolar depression? What's the consensus?
>
> Thanks!Ed (xxxx) has provided you citations. But I know there are many people on this board who have used Lamictal with great success for unipolar depression.
Maxime
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