This work may not be copied, distributed, displayed, published, reproduced, transmitted, modified, posted, sold, licensed, or used for commercial purposes. By downloading this file, you are agreeing to the publisher’s Terms & Conditions.

Article

The Use of Anticonvulsants to Augment Antidepressant Medication

Detlef E. Dietrich, M.D.; and Hinderk M. Emrich, Ph.D.

Published: July 1, 1998

Article Abstract

Combination therapy that couples classical antidepressants with other psychoactive compounds isone of the major therapeutic strategies in therapy-resistant depression. The authors review reports onthe antidepressive effects of the mood stabilizers carbamazepine and valproate and focus on the pharmacodynamicand clinical aspects of combining these compounds with antidepressant drugs. In addition,a pivotal study (N = 10 outpatients) demonstrates the use and efficacy of a low-dose combinationtherapy of carbamazepine and amitriptyline. It is concluded that low-dose combination of classicalantidepressants and mood stabilizers appears to be well tolerated and highly effective.


Some JCP and PCC articles are available in PDF format only. Please click the PDF link at the top of this page to access the full text.

Volume: 59

Quick Links: Depression (MDD)