Acute treatment of bipolar disorder with adjunctive risperidone in outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that, although typical neuroleptics are commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, newer atypical antipsychotic agents, like risperidone, may be more effective and better-tolerated.


METHODS
The effectiveness of risperidone was evaluated in 14 outpatients with bipolar disorder, type I, who received risperidone for 6.4 +/- 2.7 weeks at 2.75 +/- 1.8 mg/day.


RESULTS
Nine (64%) patients were much improved based on Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores, and mean Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores improved from 48.2 +/- 4.9 to 58.8 +/- 7.3 (t = 4.49, P = 0.0006, paired t test). Treatment was well tolerated, and no patient experienced worsening of mood symptoms while receiving risperidone.


CONCLUSIONS
This open series suggests risperidone is beneficial in the treatment of outpatients with bipolar disorder.
Ghaemi
S N
SN
Center on Neuroscience, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Sachs
G S
GS
Baldassano
C F
CF
Truman
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D008094:Lithium; D018967:Risperidone