A controlled study between carbamazepine and lithium carbonate in the treatment of manic episode.

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and side effects of carbamazepine for treatment of manic episode.Methods The 172 patients with manic episode occurring in affective disorders,who met CCMD-2-R criteria for manic episode,were randomlly assigned into two groups for four-weeks treatment,namely the carbamazepine group( n =102)and the lithium carbonate group( n =70).Their therapeutic effects and side effects were evaluted by BRMS,CGI,TESS,laboratory investigtions concerned,respectively.Results It was found that the total course in BRMS in the carbamazepine group and the lithium carbonate group at the end of four weeks treament showed significant decrease as compared with the baseline before the treatment.The efficacy of carbamazepine were similar to those of lithium carbonate,but they persisted for relatively shorter periods so that the patients could tolerate them better.Conclusions It was considered could be used as an alternative drug for treating the manic episods occouring in affective disorders.