Safety and efficacy of carbamazepine extended-release capsules in patients with bipolar disorder: QD vs BID.
BACKGROUND
Adherence to prescribed pharmacotherapy is an important factor in the success of a selected treatment regimen. Because the dosing frequency of a particular medication can affect adherence rates, this important aspect of treatment must be taken into account. This report presents results from a retrospective assessment of the charts of 23 patients who received once-daily (qd) carbamazepine extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Shire, Wayne, PA, USA) for the treatment of bipolar disorder.


METHODS
The assessment compared qd dosing of CBZ-ERC with twice-daily (bid) dosing by matching the charts of the 23 study subjects to those of 23 similar control patients who had been taking CBZ-ERC dosed bid.


RESULTS
In this study, no significant difference was observed in Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores between the qd and bid groups. In addition, the percentage of responders (those whose CGI-I score were <or=3) was the same (83%) for both groups. Relapse rates and measures of safety and tolerability were also similar in the two treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that CBZ-ERC dosed qd is comparable in efficacy, safety, and tolerability to CBZ-ERC dosed bid for patients with bipolar disorder.
Ginsberg
Lawrence D
LD
Red Oak Psychiatry Associates, Houston, TX 77090, USA. larrydg@earthlink.net
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002214:Capsules; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002220:Carbamazepine