 - Must have been washed out of all psychotropic medications except for the allowed concomitant sedatives for insomnia for their bipolar illness for at least 3 days for mood stabilizers and 1 week for antidepressants prior to study drug initiation medications should be tapered at the investigators discretion prior to washout, while continuing to meet entry criteria for depressive symptoms. Must be willing to discontinue all psychotropic medication except for the allowed concomitant sedative for insomnia during the study period. 