Mood Stabilizer (MS)+ Antidepressant vs MS + Placebo in Maintenance of Bipolar Disorder.

"Escitalopram will be prescribed in the dose range 10-30 mg daily.~In patients randomized to the 8-week group:~* escitalopram will be tapered, discontinued, and replaced with placebo over a period of 2 weeks, beginning at the week 6 study visit. The dose of escitalopram (or matching placebo) may be decreased in 10 mg increments only in the case of intolerable side effects. The dose must remain within the protocol-defined range of 10-30 mg daily at all time points.~Patients randomized to the 52 week arm will continue treatment with their antidepressant medication for 52 weeks, or until withdrawal from the study."

"Bupropion XL will be prescribed in the dosage range 150-450 mg daily.~In patients randomized to the 8-week group:~* bupropion XL will be tapered, discontinued, and replaced with placebo over a period of 2 weeks, beginning at the week 6 study visit. The dose of bupropion XL (or matching placebo) may be decreased in 150 mg increments only in the case of intolerable side effects. The dose must remain within the protocol-defined range of 150-450 mg daily at all time points.~Patients randomized to the 52 week arm will continue treatment with their antidepressant medication for 52 weeks, or until withdrawal from the study."