Comparative study of magnesium valproate and lithium carbonate in treatment of manic episodes

Objective:To compare the efficacy and side effects of magnesium valproate and lithium carbonate in the treatment of manic episode. Method:84 patients with manic episode were divided into magnesium valproate group and lithium carbonate group randomly.Efficacy and side effects were assessed with Bech-Rafaelsen manic rating scale(BRMS),clinical global impression scale(CGI) and treatment emergent sympton scale(TESS) respectively before treatment and after treatment for 2,4,6 weeks.Results:After two weeks treatment,the total score of BRMS and the score of each factor reduced significantly in magnesium valproate group,and the scores of treatment factors was significantly lower in magnesium valproate group than those in lithium carbonate group.The side-effects of magnesium valproate were similiar to those of lithium carbonate,but they persisted for relatively shorter periods so that the patients could tolerate them better.Conclusion:Magnesium valproate is more effective and well tolerated in the treatment of manic episode.