Chlorpromazine as prophylaxis for bipolar disorder with treatment- and electroconvulsive therapy-refractory mania: Old horse, new trick

Abstract

A 22-year-old male diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder presented to us with a 3rd episode mania resistant to both olanzapine and haloperidol as well as electroconvulsive therapy. He, however, responded to chlorpromazine (CPZ) which was also effective as a mood stabilizer. The patient had a relapse of his illness when CPZ was stopped and responded again when it was started. The case demonstrates that CPZ may have a role in as both an anti-manic agent and for the maintenance for bipolar disorders. The possible underlying mechanism for this role is also discussed.

Keywords

• Bipolar disorder
• chlorpromazine
• electroconvulsive therapy-resistant mania
• mood stabilizer
• treatment-resistant mania