Safety of carbamazepine extended-release capsules in bipolar disorder polypharmacy.
BACKGROUND: This analysis is a retrospective chart review evaluating the safety of carbamazepine (CBZ) extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Shire, Wayne, PA, USA) when used in combination with other agents as part of a polypharmacy regimen in the treatment of patients with bipolar disorder. The safety of CBZ-ERC was determined by comparing the adverse event profiles of patients on monotherapy versus those of patients on polytherapy. METHODS: The medical records of 300 adult patients (aged 18-70) treated in a private practice setting with CBZ (monotherapy or polytherapy) who met the DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder were examined. RESULTS: We found that patients taking CBZ-ERC together with other agents (antipsychotics, antiepileptics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other antidepressants, anxiolytics, lithium, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications) were no more likely to report gastrointestinal, nervous system, or cutaneous adverse events than patients on CBZ-ERC monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data suggest that the occurrence of adverse events may not differ significantly between patients on CBZ-ERC monotherapy and those on polytherapy with multiple other agents.[1]References
- Safety of carbamazepine extended-release capsules in bipolar disorder polypharmacy. Ginsberg, L.D. Annals of clinical psychiatry : official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists. (2006) [Pubmed]
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