The authors evaluated carbamazepine (Tegretol), a drug of choice for
treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy, in a double-blind placebo- controlled
trial in patients with manic-depressive illness. Seven of 9 manic patients
had a partial to marked response; several also showed relapses when placebo
was substituted and improvement when carbamazepine was reinstituted. Five
of 13 depressed patients showed significant improvement in depression
ratings; 3 additional patients experienced partial relapse when placebo was
substituted. Carbamazepine might also have prophylactic as well as acute
efficacy in patients with both phases of manic-depressive illness,
including some patients who do not respond to lithium. Therapeutic effects
were achieved with 600-1600 mg/day at blood levels of 8-12 microgram/ml
with relatively few side effects. Carbamazepine may prove to be a useful
additional treatment for affective illness.
Abstract Teaser