A randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of divalproex sodium extended release in the treatment of acute mania.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy and safety of divalproex sodium extended release (divalproex ER) were evaluated in patients hospitalized for acute mania associated with bipolar I disorder, manic or mixed type (DSM-IV-TR criteria).


METHODS
Following screening and washout of psychotropic medications, 377 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to 21 days of double-blind treatment with divalproex ER (N = 192) or placebo (N = 185). Daily dosage was initiated at 25 mg/kg, increased 500 mg on day 3, and adjusted to serum valproate concentrations of 85 to 125 microg/mL. The Mania Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess efficacy. Patients remained hospitalized at least 15 days during blinded treatment. The study was conducted from April 2003 to May 2004.


RESULTS
Improvement from baseline on the MRS was significantly greater among patients who received divalproex ER compared with placebo at the first on-treatment rating assessment, day 5, and all subsequent ratings through day 21 (p = .013). Furthermore, the proportion of patients achieving at least 50% improvement from baseline in MRS was significantly higher in patients receiving divalproex ER (48%) than in patients receiving placebo (34%) (p = .012). Five of the 11 MRS items improved significantly more in patients receiving divalproex ER than placebo: less need for sleep (p <or= .01), more energetic (p <or= .05), increased activity (p <or= .05), generalized motor hyperactivity (p <or= .05), and racing thoughts (p <or= .001). Side effects associated with divalproex ER included somnolence, dizziness, and gastrointestinal complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that dival-proex ER is effective and safe for the treatment of mania episodes in bipolar I patients.


BACKGROUND
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00060905.
Bowden
Charles L
CL
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7792, USA. bowdenc@uthscsa.edu
Swann
Alan C
AC
Calabrese
Joseph R
JR
Rubenfaer
Leon M
LM
Wozniak
Patricia J
PJ
Collins
Michelle A
MA
Abi-Saab
Walid
W
Saltarelli
Mario
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010919:Placebos; D014635:Valproic Acid