How does lamotrigine treat bipolar disorder?

Lamotrigine treats bipolar disorder by preventing episodes of mania and/or depression. Bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar depression or manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by episodes of extreme energy or irritability (mania) and extreme depression. Lamotrigine has no affect on these episodes when they do occur; it simply acts as a maintenance drug to help prevent them. Other drugs are used when an acute episode occurs.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is a relatively new medication. Recent research suggests that it can act as a mood stabilizer, and may be especially useful for the depressed phase of bipolar disorder. One serious risk of lamotrigine use is that 3 out of every 1,000 individuals (0.3%) taking the medication develop a serious rash.