Dr. Bob's Psychopharmacology Tips

Felbamate for bipolar disorder

There have been case reports to this list and the Staff Lounge that felbamate, gabapentin, and lamotrigine have been used to control mood cycling in individuals with bipolar disorder.

I have mentioned a patrient of mine who had been stabilized for many years of lithium. The lithium had to be discontinued becaue of an increasing creatinine, and he had unacceptable side effects with both valproate and carbamazepine. He is now doing well on felbamate.

Date: Sun, 4 Feb 1996 17:28:08 -0800
From: Ivan Goldberg <Psydoc@psycom.net>
Subject: New anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder

I would start with lamotrigine as there is more experience with its use in people with bipolar disorder. Felbamate should be tried last because of the potential for serious hematological side effects.

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