Gabapentin as an adjunctive treatment in bipolar disorder

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder in both depressed and manic phases. Method: Thirty seven patients with bipolar type I or II with or without a rapid cycling course were openly treated with gabapentin added to current treatment for up to six months. Mood symptoms were rated weekly for 12 weeks then monthly for 3 months utilizing the HamD and YMS. Results: Participants experienced a significant reduction in both depressive and manic symptoms. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with others in establishing the efficacy of,gabapentin in both phases of bipolar disorder. Limitations: Small sample size and the use of an open uncontrolled design limit interpretation of results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.