Abstract
Objective: To review the data on the efficacy of oxcarbazepine (OXC) in bipolar disorder (BD) and to provide recommendations for clinicians on the use of this medication in treating BD. Method: Using the terms oxcarbazepine and bipolar disorder, oxcarbazepine and mania, or oxcarbazepine and bipolar depression, we conducted a computer-aided search of MEDLINE for the years 1950 to 2005. Results: Case reports, retrospective chart reviews, open prospective studies, and double-blind studies reported the efficacy and effectiveness of OXC in treating BD. The data indicate that OXC has efficacy in treating acute mania and may be a useful add-on in treating acute bipolar depression and in BD prophylaxis. OXC is generally well-tolerated. Conclusion: We recommend using OXC as monotherapy or as add-on therapy in refractory mania, but we recommend it be used predominantly as an add-on treatment for other phases of BD in patients who have not improved with well-established treatments or in patients who have difficulty tolerating adequate dosages.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 540-545 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Canadian Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Drug interactions
- Mania
- Oxcarbazepine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health