Conditions: Bipolar Disorder
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 54
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Divalproex Sodium ER in Bipolar I or Bipolar II Depression Previously Diagnosed and Treated as Recurrent Major Depression: This study recruits males and females aged 18 - 70 who currently meet diagnostic criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II disorder and are currently experiencing an episode of major depression. Patients are randomized to double-blind treatment with divalproex sodium ER or placebo and remain in the study for up to six weeks. This six-week double-blind treatment period is followed by an open-label treatment period of six months duration. This study is sponsored by Abbott Laboratories.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: None arm 2: None

Interventions: intervention 1: Divalproex Sodium ER intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Tablets will be available in 250mg and 500mg strengths. Divalproex will be titrated to a minimum blood level of 50 mg/L. However, the investigators will titrate divalproex to the maximum tolerable dose with an expected average dose of 2000mg per day. By dosing in this manner, all subjects will have a minimum blood level of 50 mg/L, but the mean level is likely to be considerably higher. intervention 2: . Tablets will be available in 250mg and 500mg strengths. Divalproex will be titrated to a minimum blood level of 50 mg/L. However, the investigators will titrate divalproex to the maximum tolerable dose with an expected average dose of 2000mg per day. By dosing in this manner, all subjects will have a minimum blood level of 50 mg/L, but the mean level is likely to be considerably higher.

Protocol document: