Abstract
Background. Adherence to prescribed pharmacotherapy is an important factor in the success of a selected treatment regimen. Because the dosing frequency of a particular medication can affect adherence rates, this important aspect of treatment must be taken into account. This report presents results from a retrospective assessment of the charts of 23 patients who received once-daily (qd) carbamazepine extended-release capsules (CBZ-ERC) (Shire, Wayne, PA, USA) for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Methods. The assessment compared qd dosing of CBZ-ERC with twice-daily (bid) dosing by matching the charts of the 23 study subjects to those of 23 similar control patients who had been taking CBZ-ERC dosed bid.
Results. In this study, no significant difference was observed in Clinical Global Impression–Improvement (CGI-I) scores between the qd and bid groups. In addition, the percentage of responders (those whose CGI-I score were ≤ 3) was the same (83%) for both groups. Relapse rates and measures of safety and tolerability were also similar in the two treatment groups.
Conclusions. These findings suggest that CBZ-ERC dosed qd is comparable in efficacy, safety, and tolerability to CBZ‐ERC dosed bid for patients with bipolar disorder.
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Notes
ap-value vs. bid control (chi-square test).
bp-value vs. bid control (one-way between subjects analysis of variance).
ap value vs. bid control (one-way between subjects analysis of variance).
bResponse is defined as achieving a CGI-I ≤ 3.
cp value vs. bid control (chi-square test).
ap-value vs. bid control (chi-square test).
bRelapse is defined as a CGI-I score ≥ 4 after documentation of a CGI-I ≤ 3.
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