Controlled study of mania treated either with carbamazepine or lithium carbonate

34 cases of mania were treated randomizely with either carbamazepine (n = 18) or lithium carbonate(n = 16). All of them were evaluated with Bech-Rafae-1sen Mania Rating Scale(BRMS) before and after the therapy.Results revealed that the recovery rate was 39% in patient receiving carbamazepine.BRMS scores at the end of second and fourth week following carbamazepine were significantly redu-ced(P0.01).The responders of lithium from second to fourth week were definitely better than those of carbamazepine.In addition, the scores of emotion, self evaluation and working ability were significantly decreased 4 weeks after given with car-bamazepine.Mild side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drownsiness and ataxia were occured during the therapy. Accordingly,carbamazepine is considered as a reliable antimanic measure.