title: Carbamazepine versus lithium in the prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorder.
abstract: A 12-month double-blind trial of carbamazepine vs lithium, given as sole treatment for the prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorder, was carried out in 31 patients. All were previously stable on lithium; 15 were switched over to carbamazepine and 16 remained on lithium. Although the overall relapse rate was similar in the 2 groups (6 on carbamazepine, 8 on lithium), nearly all the relapses in carbamazepine occurred in the first month, probably precipitated by lithium withdrawal. Two patients on carbamazepine developed a rash and were withdrawn. More side effects were noted during the early stages on carbamazepine. Patients on lithium tended to gain weight (+4 kg) compared with carbamazepine (-3.1 kg). It is concluded that carbamazepine is as effective as lithium in the prophylaxis of bipolar affective disorder; changeover from lithium to carbamazepine should be done slowly.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Human Psychopharmacology, Medical Colleges of St. Bartholomew's, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coxhead
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Silverstone
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cookson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D002220:Carbamazepine