Oxcarbazepine — Alternative treatment in Bipolar Disorders
Authors :Detlef E. Dietrich, MD and Hinderk M. Emrich, MD, PhD
Affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School Hanover, Germany
Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to:
Detlef E. Dietrich, MD
Department of Clinical Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
OE 7110, Medical School Hannover
30623 Hannover, Germany
Tel.: +49 511 532 6749
Fax: +49 511 532 2415
E-mail: dietrich.detlef@mh-hannover.de
Abstract
Objectives:
The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and valproate have successfully been used in pharmacopsychiatry after their therapeutic value in affective and schizoaffective disorders was documented in several clinical trials. Oxcarbazepine (OXC), a keto-derivative of carbamazepine, which had already shown antimanic efficacy in clinical studies since the early 80s, is now being further investigated regarding antimanic and potential mood stabilizing effects.
Methods:
Reports of antimanic and mood stabilizing effects of oxcarbazepine during the last 20 years are reviewed up to April 2003. Efficacy and side effects were compared with other mood stabilizers and discussed regarding possible future indications of this compound.
Results:
According to the literature OXC is regarded as effective in acute mania and appears to reduce the dosage of neuroleptics required for the treatment of affective and schizoaffective disorders. In addition, it has a preferable pharmacokinetic profile with less severe side effects compared to other anticonvulsants and neuroleptics, and co-administration with neuroleptics or antidepressants appears to be well tolerated in affective disorders.
Conclusions:
Despite the promising effects of OXC, few clinical studies have been published in the last 20 years. We conclude that further studies should validate the antimanic efficacy of OXC and evaluate possible pharmacopsychiatric indications, as well as limitations for this psychotropic compound.
Key Words: Oxcarbazepine - OXC – affective disorders – mania – mood-stabilizer – depression
Download the Article for FREE
Categories
Your cart
Authentication