VERAPAMIL FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE MANIA - A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of verapamil in acute mania. Method: The study was a 3-week double-blind, random-assignment parallel-group, placebo-controlled inpatient trial of verapamil for pa tients with acute mania. Of the 32 study patients, 15 were given place bo and 17 were given verapamil. Results: Mean absolute change scores o n the Mania Rating Scale at endpoint, with baseline scores as the cova riates, did not differ between the verapamil and placebo groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, a nd presence of psychosis. Conclusions: The investigators found no bene fit of verapamil over placebo in treating acute mania.