Posted by SLS on June 20, 2008, at 4:06:31
In reply to Best mood stabilizer for Wellbutrin, posted by ajax1 on June 19, 2008, at 0:46:45
> I've found that the antidepressant I best respond to is Wellbutrin. Being BPll, I was wandering what mood stabilizer(s) other people have found best to keep the hypomania/agitation away. Also, did you need to add something for sleep?
> Thanks much
> ajaxLamictal + Wellbutrin makes for a good combination to treat depression. Generally, Lamictal is not a very effective anti-manic agent once mania has developed. Weirdly, and perhaps happily, Lamictal seems to mitigate rapid-cycling.
I would give some thought to using either Depakote or Abilify to prevent mania. If you go with Depakote, you will need to use 1/2 the amount of Lamictal since Depakote interferes with the elimination of Lamictal from the body. With Abilify, you might experience some anxiety and insomnia at the beginning, but these usually dissipate by 1-2 weeks. These are known as startup side effects. Infrequently, this drug produces akathisia, so one must monitor for pacing, shifting weight from one foot to the other, anxiety, restlessness, and a very uncomfortable feeling as if one were "crawling out of their skin". I take Abilify 20mg. For me, it is a remarkably clean drug. It may confer the lowest risk of developing EPS and tardive dyskinesia. I guess tardive akathisia is a possibility. However, I am unaware of any reports surfacing on Medline. Abilify is an antipsychotic with anti-depressant, anti-manic, and anti-rapid-cycling properties.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:835398
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080617/msgs/835603.html