Use of clonazepam in two cases of acute mania

Two cases of mania, one psychotic and one nonpsychotic, were treated with clonazepam, 4 mg p.o. q.i.d. In the nonpsychotic patient, complete alleviation of manic symptomatology was noted with use of clonazepam. The psychotic patient showed a reduction in manic behavior during clonazepam therapy, but without concomitant effect on psychotic features. Implications for the use of this novel psychopharmacologic agent are discussed and a possible mechanism of action is proposed.