Efficacy of lamotrigine in maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar disorder manic episode

Objective To study efficacy of lamotrigine in maintenance treatment of patients with bipolar disorder manic episode.Methods A total of 73 patients with bipolar disorders manic episode in maintenance treatment were randomly divided into study group with lamotrigine and control group with lithium for treatment of 24 weeks.They were assessed and analysed contrastively using with Bech-Rafaelsen Mania Scale(BRMS) for manic symptoms,Social Disability Screening Schedule(SDSS) for social function and Treatment Emergent Side Effect Scale(TESS)for side effects before treatment and in the end of 4,12,24 weeks.Results The scores of BRMS and SDSS in study group decreased significantly at the 4th and 12nd weedend after treatment,but there were no significant changes in control group.The scores of BRMS and SDSS in study group were all significantly lower than those in control group at end of 4th,12nd and 24th week.Conclusion Lamotrigine is effective for patients in maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder and should improve social functions of patients.