A Study To Investigate The Antidepressant Effect Of Lamotrigine In Patients With Bipolar Disorder Using Lithium

A Mulitcentre, Double-blind, Randomised, Fixed-dose Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Lamictal (Lamotrigine) Compared to Placebo as an add-on Therapy to Lithium or Another Mood Stabiliser in the Treatment of Bipolar Depression, Followed by Long-term Prevention of Relapse and Recurrence of Depression and/or Mania in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

This is a study that, in the first 16 weeks, investigates whether lamotrigine versus placebo offers effect on depressive episodes for patients with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depressive disorder) who use lithium. In the following 50 weeks it is investigated whether these patients experience effect on their depressive and/ or (hypo)manic episodes.

A Multicentre, Double-Blind, Randomised, Fixed-Dose Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Lamotrigine (Lamictal®) compared to placebo as add-on therapy to lithium in the Treatment of Bipolar Depression followed by Long-term Prevention of Relapse and Recurrence of Depression and/or Mania in Subjects With Bipolar Disorder

Inclusion criteria:

• Patients with bipolar disorder (type I or type II) currently suffering from depression that is at least moderate in severity according to a psychiatrist.
• Currently using lithium.
• Female subjects can't be pregnant or become pregnant during the study.

Exclusion criteria:

• Actively suicidal.
• Rapid cyclers.
• Suffering from significant personality disorders.
• Alcohol or substance dependent or abusive.
• Suffering from significant physical conditions.