Pharmacovigilance Study of Anticonvulsants in Combination with Atypical Antipsychotics for Mood Stabilization

Abstract

Mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder, often need a combination of medications to stabilize mood episodes and prevent relapses. Anticonvulsants like oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine are effective mood stabilizers. Atypical antipsychotics, such as olanzapine and risperidone, are often prescribed for acute mania, mixed states, and ongoing treatment. While these drug combinations can lead to better treatment results, they also increase the risk of negative drug reactions due to their combined effects and possible interactions. This pharmacovigilance study aims to assess the occurrence, patterns, and seriousness of negative drug reactions linked to the combinations of oxcarbazepine and olanzapine, oxcarbazepine and risperidone, lamotrigine and olanzapine, lamotrigine and risperidone in patients receiving treatment for mood stabilization. Patient data will be collected from psychiatry outpatient and inpatient departments, covering demographie information, medication schedules, lab results, and reported negative reactions. Each suspected negative reaction will be evaluated for cause, seriousness, and preventability using standard tools like the WHO-UMC scale, Naranjo algorithm, and Hartwig's severity assessment. Statistical analysis will help identify high-risk combinations and factors related to patients that contribute negative drug reactions. This study is expected to provide real-world evidence on the safety of these commonly used medication combinations. This will promote better prescribing practices, improve patient monitoring strategies, and contribute to better clinical outcomes in managing mood disorders.

Keywords: Oxcarbazepine, Lamotrigine, Olanzapine, Risperidone, Suspected negative reactions, Identify high risk combinations