Related Experiment Videos
Verapamil in treatment-resistant mania: an open trial
Abstract:
Fourteen patients with mania unresponsive to lithium were treated with verapamil in an open study. None of the eight patients treated for acute episodes of mania or hypomania showed improvement, although four patients experienced dysphoria, with two of the four switching into depression. Four patients were treated with verapamil prophylactically; one showed a mild improvement and one, a clear positive response. Two patients with persistent pharmacological hypomanias tolerated antidepressants and became euthymic while on verapamil. A case of pharmacological hypomania successfully treated with verapamil is presented in detail. A controlled trial using verapamil to prevent pharmacological mania/hypomania is indicated.
Insights
Verapamil did not improve acute mania or hypomania in a small study. However, it showed potential for prophylactic use and managing persistent hypomania, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lithium is a primary treatment for mania.
- Some patients exhibit mania unresponsive to lithium.
Observation:
- An open study investigated verapamil for lithium-unresponsive mania.
- Fourteen patients with mania or hypomania participated.
Findings:
- Verapamil showed no efficacy in acute manic or hypomanic episodes.
- Four patients experienced dysphoria, with two transitioning to depression.
- Prophylactic verapamil use yielded mild to clear positive responses in two patients.
- Verapamil helped two patients with persistent pharmacological hypomania achieve euthymia while on antidepressants.
Implications:
- Verapamil may not be suitable for acute mania treatment.
- Verapamil shows promise as a prophylactic agent for mania/hypomania.
- Further controlled trials are needed to confirm verapamil's efficacy in preventing pharmacological mania/hypomania.