Carbamazepine compared to haloperidol in acute mania.
In a double-blind, between-patient clinical trial carbamazepine (CBZ) (n = 8) was compared to haloperidol (HP) (n = 9) in patients presenting with mania (DSM III). Seven patients on HP and 2 on CBZ failed to complete 4 weeks treatment. In 4 of the HP group this was because of extrapyramidal side-effects (EPS). Two patients on CBZ and 2 on HP were withdrawn because of lack of efficacy. Statistically significant clinical improvement was seen in both groups within the first 2 weeks of treatment with HP acting more quickly. In addition to EPS which occurred in HP patients, drowsiness was experienced in 4 on CBZ and 3 on HP, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 3 on CBZ. No serious haematological changes, nor abnormalities in clinical chemistry occurred in either group. We conclude that CBZ appears to be a potentially useful drug in the treatment of acute mania.
Brown
D
D
Academic Unit of Human Psychopharmacology, Medical Colleges of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, England.
Silverstone
T
T
Cookson
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011352:Procyclidine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D002220:Carbamazepine; D011352:Procyclidine; D006220:Haloperidol; D002746:Chlorpromazine