Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment, including the maintenance treatment, of affective disorders, which comprises administering, especially every 20 to 28 hours, to said subject a therapeutically effective amount, especially an amount between about 500 and about 3000 mg, of a compound of formula (1) wherein R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C3alkyl carbonyl; to the use of a compound of (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of affective disorders; to a combination comprising: (a) a compound of formula (I); and (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lithium, divalproex, conventional antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics, lamotrigine and antidepressants; and to the use of such combination for the treatment of affective disorders.