Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF COMBINATION THERAPY OF DULOXETINE AND LAMOTRIGINE IN THE TREATMENT OF BIPOLAR DEPRESSION

Nimmy Baby Poovanpallil *and Dr. Kedar Prabhavalkar

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of lamotrigine, an antiepileptic mood stabilizer, when used alone and in combination with duloxetine (SNRI) in treating bipolar depression, at different doses of lamotrigine. Materials and methods: Mice were divided randomly into six groups. Intraperitoneal treatment of normal saline (0.9%NaCl), duloxetine (10 mg/kg), lamotrigine (30 mg/kg), three combination groups i.e.,duloxetine (5mg/kg) + lamotrigine (10mg/kg), duloxetine (5mg/kg) + lamotrigine (15mg/kg), duloxetine (5mg/kg) + lamotrigine (20mg/kg), were given to groups IVI, respectively. The immobility period was analyzed 30 min after the treatment from forced swim and tail suspension tests. The amount of sucrose consumed was estimated using Sucrose preference test. Results: The combination of duloxetine and lamotrigine given in the doses of 5mg/kg and 15mg/kg respectively, exhibited antidepressant activity by decreasing immobility time and increasing the amount of sucrose consumption in stressed mice as compared to lamotrigine monotherapy and other combinations used. Conclusion: Combining duloxetine (5mg/kg) and lamotrigine (15mg/kg) could be a better treatment option for bipolar depression owing to its greater efficacy over lamotrigine monotherapy and as it shows significant antidepressant-like effects.

Keywords: bipolar depression, duloxetine, lamotrigine.