Mania
Not yet clinically reviewed
This protocol was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia and Ward Guide apps for educational use. Follow your hospital's own policies and consult seniors when in doubt.
Introduction
The important clinical features are increased psychomotor activity, increased and at times irrelevant talk, high degree of irritability and above all extremes of happiness. The person may manifest grandiosity and at times become impulsive and severely violent.
Treatment
Drugs used are the same as those for schizophrenia and the dosage tailored to the individual’s needs. Lithium: Usefulness of this drug in manic excitement and also as a prophylactic in recurrent episodes is well established. Adequate screening needs be done before starting this drug and the serum level should be monitored periodically as this drug has propensity for severe toxicity. Carbamazepine, sodium valproate and to lesser extent clonazepam are used in the management of mood disorders. Both carbamazepine and sodium valproate are used for the treatment of acute mania and also as a prophylactic agent. These are especially considered when lithium fails as prophylactic agent.