title: Combining lithium and sodium valproate for bipolar disorder.
abstract: We report two cases of severe bipolar disorder in which there was a dramatic response to the combination of lithium and sodium valproate. Both patients had failed to respond to the respective monotherapies. These cases suggest that the combination of lithium and sodium valproate may be more effective than each of these drugs used alone. There is a clear need for controlled outcome studies of the common clinical practice of combining lithium and the anticonvulsants.
authors.affiliation: Mood Disorders Unit, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, New South Wales.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Withers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hickie
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid; D008094:Lithium