Methysergide as a Treatment for Mania
MICHAEL S. McCABE M.D.1,
THEODORE REICH M.D.2, , and
GEORGE WINOKUR M.D.3
1 Resident, department of psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. 63110
2 Chief resident, department of psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. 63110
3 Professor, department of psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. 63110
Reports of dramatically successful treatment of acute mania with methysergide led the authors to undertake a small study. Twelve patients with acute mania were treated with doses of methysergide that had been reported to be effective. Only one patient recovered; all the others required further therapy. Possible reasons for the failure of methysergide to terminate the manic episode are discussed.
