Efficacy of Sodium Valproate and Olanzapine in BPD, Mania

Bipolar disorder (BPD) is a mood disorder that is characterized by periods of pathologic mood elevation (mania or hypomania). Many studies have proved that effective pharmacological treatment improves the quality of life in patients suffering with BPD. Various classes of antipsychotics and antiepileptics have been used in the treatment of BPD like sodium valproate (SVA), carbamazepine (CBZ), olanzapine (OLZ), risperidone etc. Despite the introduction of many new mood stabilizing medications and a continually advancing understanding of their individual strengths and weaknesses, selecting the best possible treatment for each individual patient remains a significant challenge for general practitioners and psychiatrists. Response and remission are key goals in the management of BPD, mania. There are very few literatures related to the direct head to head comparison of SVA and OLZ in bipolar affective disorder, mania and this book presents a new study. Therefore an attempt was made primarily to compare the efficacy of two mood stabilizers- SVA and OLZ using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) as the scale for assessment.