Indications for lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorders are acute mania, depression and preventive treatment. In the case of insufficient efficacy or adverse effects the first alternative for lithium in acute mania is carbamazepine. However, the role of carbamazepine in preventive treatment is still uncertain. Well designed prospective research is hardly done. Clearly positive reports on the efficacy of carbamazepine concern specific lithium-resistant groups such as the ‘rapid-cyclers’. Valproic acid has been found effective in a few studies in bipolar disorders, especially in acute mania. Clonazepam is sometimes mentioned as a possible alternative, however recent research seriously questions the efficacy of clonazepam in bipolar disorders. Calcium-antagonists, especially verapamil, may have some efficacy in the treatment of acute mania, their role is still very uncertain.
