Alprazolam-induced hypomania.
OBJECTIVE
There are reports of alprazolam-induced hypomania/mania. Here is a case report of a patient who developed hypomania during treatment with alprazolam, but not with diazepam, another benzodiazepine derivative.


METHODS
The illness was of 2 months' duration and the patient received a diagnosis of anxious depression. Following treatment with alprazolam, the patient developed hypomania characterised by euphoria, overactivity, overtalkactivity, racing thoughts, oversocialisation, enhanced self-confidence and disturbed sleep.


METHODS
Hypomania subsided when alprazolam was withdrawn. There was no recurrence with fluoxetine or diazepam that ameliorated the primary condition.


RESULTS
The patient was symptom-free on follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Alprazolam can induce hypomania/mania and, perhaps, it differs from other benzodiazepines in its mode of action. Clinicians have to be alert to the possibility of their patients developing hypomania/mania while on alprazolam.
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
J
J
Reddy
S
S
Khanna
U
U
Anand
A
A
Banerjee
D000328:Adult; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D000525:Alprazolam