"The study's results "indicate that careful management of mood-stabilizer medications is a reasonable alternative to adding antidepressant medication for treating bipolar depression," Sachs says in a news release from the National Institute of Mental Health."

"First, the researchers made sure all of the patients were taking appropriate doses of mood-stabilizing drugs such as lithium. Next, they split the patients into two groups."

"Patients in the other group received one of two antidepressants -- paroxetine or bupropion -- along with the mood-stabilizing drugs."

"Paroxetine is sold generically and under the brand name Paxil. Bupropion is sold generically and under the brand name Wellbutrin XL. The study doesn't specify whether the generic or brand-name versions were used."

"Paroxetine and bupropion are commonly used with mood stabilizers to treat bipolar depression, but the FDA hasn't approved any antidepressant to treat the disorder, note Sachs and colleagues."

"During that time, the researchers counted how many in each group had eight consecutive weeks without major mood swings."

"About 23% of the antidepressant group met the study's benchmark (eight consecutive weeks without major mood swings), compared with 27% of the placebo group."

"The difference was so small that it was not significant, the researchers note. They found no advantage for either antidepressant
... read the whole article