Authors: Greil W and Kleindienst N.
Title: Lithium versus carbamazepine in the maintenance treatment of bipolar II disorder and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified.
Reference: Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1999;14:283-5.
Purpose: To determine the prophylactic efficacy of lithium versus carbamazepine in bipolar II or bipolar disorder (not otherwise specified).
Study design: Subgroup of the MAP study (a randomized, clinical trial).
Follow up: 2.5 years.
Patients: 57 patients (28 lithium, 29 carbamazepine).
Treatment: Lithium average serum level 0.646 + 0.129 mmol/L or carbamazepine average serum level 5.89 + 1.26 mcg/mL (630 + 237 mg/day).
Results: No significant differences between the two drugs were observed in terms of hospitalization, recurrences, and side effects.