A randomized controlled single blind study of the efficacy of clonazepam and lithium in the treatment of acute mania

This study is a randomized controlled trial of 40 patients suffering from bipolar affective disorder, manic phase (DSM IV). The patients were treated with either clonazepam or lithium. There were no differences between the two groups at 4 weeks on any of the efficacy measures, which included the BPRS, MAS, CGI and GAF scales. Side-effects were comparably mild in both groups. Clonazepam may be an effective treatment for acute mania.