Safety of carbamazepine extended-release capsules in bipolar disorder polypharmacy.
BACKGROUND
This analysis is a retrospective chart review evaluating the safety of carbamazepine (CBZ) extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Shire, Wayne, PA, USA) when used in combination with other agents as part of a polypharmacy regimen in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder. The safety of CBZ-ERC was determined by comparing the adverse event profiles of patients on monotherapy versus those of patients on polytherapy.


METHODS
The medical records of 300 adult patients (aged 18-70) treated in a private practice setting with CBZ (monotherapy or polytherapy) who met the DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder were examined.


RESULTS
We found that patients taking CBZ-ERC together with other agents (antipsychotics, antiepileptics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants, anxiolytics, lithium, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications) were no more likely to report gastrointestinal, nervous system, or cutaneous adverse events than patients on CBZ-ERC monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
These real-world data suggest that the occurrence of adverse events may not differ significantly between patients on CBZ-ERC monotherapy and those on polytherapy with multiple other agents.
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 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002214:Capsules; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D002220:Carbamazepine