title: Extended-release carbamazepine (Equetro) for bipolar disorder.
abstract: An extended-release formulation of carbamazepine, available since 1997 for treatment of epilepsy, has now been approved under a new name, Equetro, for acute mania and mixed episodes of bipolar disorder. Although the drug was effective in some patients for up to 6 months, it has not been approved for maintenance treatment. Carbamazepine has not been shown to be more effective than lithium or valproate, and it can cause serious adverse effects.
mesh_terms: D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002220:Carbamazepine