Abstract
Objective: To determine whether divalproex sodium (DVPX) was superior to lithium carbonate (Li+) in the maintenance monotherapy treatment of youths diagnosed with bipolar disorder who had been previously stabilized on combination Li+ and DVPX (Li+/DVPX) pharmacotherapy. Method: Youths ages 5-17 years with bipolar I or II disorder were initially treated with Li+ /DVPX. Patients meeting remission criteria for four consecutive weeks were then randomized in a double-blind fashion to treatment with either Li+ or DVPX for up to 76 weeks. Study participation ended if the subject required additional clinical intervention or if the subject did not adhere to study procedures. Results: Patients were recruited between July 1998 and May 2002. One hundred thirty-nine youths with a mean (SD) age of 10.8 (3.5) years were initially treated with Li+/DVPX for a mean (SD) duration of 10.7 (5.4) weeks. Sixty youths were then randomized to receive monotherapy with Li+ (n = 30) or DVPX (n = 30). The Li+ and DVPX treatment groups did not differ in survival time until emerging symptoms of relapse (p = .55) or survival time until discontinuation for any reason (p = .72). Conclusions: DVPX was not found to be superior to Li + as maintenance treatment in youths who stabilized on combination Li+ /DVPX pharmacotherapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 409-417 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Bipolar disorder
- Divalproex sodium
- Lithium
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health