title: Practical considerations for carbamazepine use in bipolar disorder.
abstract: Carbamazepine (CBZ) has a long history of successful use in epilepsy and, therefore, has a safety profile that is well characterised. Additionally, an extended-release formulation of CBZ (CBZ-ERC; Equetro, Shire US) has recently been approved for use in bipolar disorder. The most frequent adverse events associated with CBZ are somnolence, fatigue, dizziness and headache. Rash and leukopoenia may occur in approximately 10% of patients, but are benign and transient in most cases. Rare serious adverse effects include agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Although changes in lipid profiles have been noted, hyperglycaemia does not occur with CBZ, and clinically significant weight gain is uncommon. Proper monitoring and careful titration of the extended-release formulation should allow for successful use of CBZ in psychiatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10000 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, OH 44141, USA. mfuller64@comcast.net
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dostrow
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Gazda
mesh_terms: D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002220:Carbamazepine