[Therapeutic use of carbamazepine for treatment of agitation and affective disorders in geriatric psychiatry patients].

Symptomatic behavioral disturbances including agitation, motor restlessness, outbursts and hostility remain a major problem in clinical management of gerontopsychiatric patients. Termination of home care and subsequent hospitalisation is caused largely by behavior disturbances and not cognitive deficits. Clinical efficacy of neuroleptic treatment seems to be modest and is limited by unwanted side effects. Carbamazepine shows psychotropic effects and seems to improve limbic pathology including aggression and poor impulse control in various psychiatric disorders. Treatment with carbamazepine was evaluated in an open study design in 29 gerontopsychiatric inpatients. Carbamazepine was efficient in treating agitated behavior disturbances in dementia and other disorders. Adverse effects of the drug showed up only in a small percentage of the patients and were reversible after discontinuation of the drug. The results suggest that carbamazepine may be effective in treating agitated behavior in gerontopsychiatric patients with different disorders. It may represent a sensible alternative or complementation to other therapeutic interventions.