Gabapentin in geriatric mania.
There is little available information on anticonvulsant treatment of mania in elderly patients. Seven elderly patients, each in a manic episode, were treated with gabapentin. All 7 patients experienced improvement in manic symptoms, with minimal to no side effects. They received gabapentin in combination with antipsychotic medications, and in 1 case in combination with valproate. Gabapentin appears to be a safe and effective treatment in geriatric mania when combined with antipsychotic medications or valproate. Gabapentin appears to be well tolerated with no major adverse drug interactions or side effects in elderly manic patients. This case series suggests that controlled studies are warranted to examine gabapentin's efficacy and side effects, particularly as an adjunctive medication, in geriatric mania.
Sethi
M Awais
MA
Columbia University-Binghamton Psychiatric Center geriatric psychiatry fellowship program, Arden Hill Hospital, and Department of Biological Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia Univ., NY, USA.
Mehta
Raghunath
R
Devanand
D P
DP
D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
D000085:Acetates; D000588:Amines; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin