Lamotrigine and gabapentin. Alternative in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and sodium valproate have efficacy in hypomania, bipolar depression and in the prophylaxis of bipolar disorder. This paper reviews published evidence on the effects of the new anticonvulsants gabapentin and lamotrigine in bipolar disorder. The conclusion is that there is good evidence from open studies to indicate that randomised double-blind trials of these compounds should be carried out. The pharmacology of these anticonvulsants is reviewed and putative predictors of good response identified.