Lithium vs carbamazepine in bipolar maintenance Authors: Hartong EG, et al.; and the LitCar Group. Title: Prophylactic efficacy of lithium versus carbamazepine in treatment-naïve bipolar patients. Reference: J Clin Psychiatry 2003;64:144-51. Purpose: To compare the prophylactic efficacy of carbamazepine with lithium in bipolar patients and determine whether carbamazepine is a useful alternative to lithium therapy. Study design: Randomized, double-blinded study. Follow up: 2 years. Patients: 94 patients (44 lithium, 50 carbamazepine). Treatment: The dose was adjusted to a lithium serum level of 0.6–1.0 mmol/L and a carbamazepine serum level of 6–10 mg/L. Results: 27% of patients receiving lithium developed an episode compared with 42% of patients receiving carbamazepine. The efficacy of lithium was superior to carbamazepine in patients with a hypomanic or manic index episode. 36% of patients receiving lithium and 32% of patients receiving carbamazepine completed the study.
