Valproic acid in ultra-rapid cycling: a case report.
Valproic acid has been proven to be efficient in the treatment of bipolar affective disorders as an adjunctive agent to lithium and carbamazepine. Recently, its efficacy in rapid cycling states has attracted interest. We present the case of a male patient with bipolar affective disorder who developed an extreme state of ultra-rapid cycling (48-h cycles). Only the addition of valproic acid therapy to prior lithium treatment succeeded in curtailing the ultra-rapid cycling. Several issues regarding ultra-rapid cycling and valproate's efficacy in bipolar disorder are discussed.
Lepkifker
E
E
Department of Psychiatry B, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Iancu
I
I
Dannon
P
P
Ziv
R
R
Kotler
M
M
D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014635:Valproic Acid