[Dipropylacetamide in the treatment of manic-depressive psychosis]

Abstract

Dipropylacetamide, which was first used as a treatment of epilepsy, turned out to be also a normalizing agent of the periodic avolution of manic-depressive psychosis. The therapeutic action of dipropylacetamide has several effects: 1) total suppression of the fits; 2) reduced intensity of these fits; 3) increasing lapse of time between two fits; 4) greatest response to anti-depressants and neuroleptics which can be prescribed in much smaller doses. More manic than depressive states respond to dipropylacetamide. The average doses are about 900 mg or so. Cautiousness if advisable at the beginning of the treatment on account of the use of sedatives; but the treatment is extremely well received and accepted by the patients during periods of several years without the requirement of biological controls. Associating lithium with dipropylacetamide often yields remarkable results.