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Lamotrigine in the Treatment of Unipolar Depression with and Without Comorbidities: A Literature Review

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Abstract

To review the available data behind the use of lamotrigine in unipolar depression and common comorbid conditions. A PubMed based literature review was conducted using keywords related to lamotrigine, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and personality disorders. A large number of trials using lamotrigine for unipolar depression and various comorbid conditions were reviewed. A major limitation behind the majority of studies was a limited course of the treatment phase. The most robust data was found among studies that followed patients for over 8 weeks, and used higher dosages. Patients with comorbid anxiety states appeared to benefit. Patients with borderline personality disorder also appeared to benefit. The benefits of lamotrigine in unipolar depression have been inconsistently noted in a number of studies. This is due in part to short treatment phases, atypical domains of benefit and different patient populations across studies. Patients with more treatment-resistance, comorbid anxiety and borderline personality disorder may be more able to benefit from lamotrigine.

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Notes

  1. Unpublished studies available online.

    GlaxoSmithKline. An eight-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, fixed-dose evaluation of the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine (200 mg/day), desipramine (200 mg/d and, and placebo in outpatients with unipolar depression (result summary for the study SCAA2011 [105-613]). http://download.gsk-clinicalstudyregister.com/files/1666.pdf. Verfied December 12, 2011.

    GlaxoSmithKline. A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, 7-week evaluation of the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine in patients with major depression (result summary for study SCA20022. http://download.gsk-clinicalstudyregister.com/files/1661.pdf. Verified December 12, 2011.

    GlaxoSmithKline. A randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, 7-week evaluation of the efficacy and safety of lamotrigine in treatment of a major depressive episode in unipolar depressed patients (result summary for study SCA20025). http://download.gsk-clinicalstudyregister.com/files/1663.pdf. Verified December 12, 2011.

  2. GlaxoSmithKline internal data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Carilion Clinic-Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA

    Adam Daniel Zavodnick

  2. Veterans Affairs Medical Cente, 1970 Roanoke Boulevard—116A7, Salem, VA, 24153, USA

    Adam Daniel Zavodnick

  3. Psychiatry Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salem, VA, USA

    Rizwan Ali

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  2. Rizwan Ali
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Correspondence to Adam Daniel Zavodnick.

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Zavodnick, A.D., Ali, R. Lamotrigine in the Treatment of Unipolar Depression with and Without Comorbidities: A Literature Review. Psychiatr Q 83, 371–383 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-012-9208-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-012-9208-4

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