[Open randomized comparative twelve-week study of lithium and valproate in manic episode].

One hundred and twenty-five patients (49 men and 76 women, mean age 38,0+/-12,5 years) were randomized in two groups. One group (64 patients) was treated with valproate sodium and another group (61 patients) received lithium carbonate. Monotherapy was administered with the mean dose of valproate 20 mg/kg/day (serum valproate concentration between 70 and 125 ?g/ml) and the mean dose of lithium 800 mg/day (between 600 and 900 mg/day; serum lithium concentration 0,8-1,2 mmol/L) during 12 weeks.