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Lamotrigine augmentation in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a case report
Gianna Sepede1, Giovanni Martinotti, Francesco Gambi
1Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, Chair of Psychiatry, G d'Annunzio University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy. g.sepede@unich.it
Clinical Neuropharmacology
|January 22, 2013
Summary
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe condition impacting quality of life. Lamotrigine may effectively treat severe PMDD cases unresponsive to standard SSRI treatments.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) significantly impairs social functioning and quality of life.
- First-line treatments like SSRIs and oral contraceptives are effective for many, but a notable percentage of patients show limited response.
- Identifying alternative or add-on therapies is crucial for managing severe and treatment-resistant PMDD.
Observation:
- A case study involving a 42-year-old woman with a disabling form of PMDD is presented.
- The patient exhibited a partial response to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment.
- Significant clinical improvement was observed after the addition of lamotrigine to her SSRI therapy.
Findings:
- Lamotrigine, when used as an add-on therapy to SSRIs, demonstrated efficacy in a patient with severe PMDD.
- The patient experienced substantial improvement in PMDD symptoms and overall well-being.
- This suggests a potential benefit of lamotrigine in cases of partial SSRI response.
Implications:
- Lamotrigine represents a potential augmentation strategy for severe PMDD cases that do not fully respond to SSRIs.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of lamotrigine as an adjunctive treatment for PMDD.
- This finding could lead to improved treatment options for women with treatment-resistant premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
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