Comparative effectiveness of carbamazepine and propranolol for rage outbursts

Eighty patients (randomly assigned in 51 cases) with diverse diagnoses, were prescribed propranolol or carbamazepine for temper outbursts. Results suggested that both medications were beneficial. The diagnosis of attention deficit disorder predicted preferential response to propranolol, and a diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder predicted preferential response to carbamazepine. Results, however, were not entirely consistent and require confirmation.