Combination of mood stabilizers with quetiapine for treatment of acute bipolar disorder: an open label study.
OBJECTIVE
The atypical antipsychotics are being increasingly used to control acute manic episodes, and data are emerging to support their mood-stabilizing and antidepressant properties. This study investigated the short-term efficacy of quetiapine as an add-on therapy in the treatment of acute mania.


METHODS
This study was a 4-week, open-label, add-on, prospective investigation using quetiapine in addition to mood stabilizers. Data on 18 patients fulfilling DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder were analysed. The Young mania rating scale (YMRS), the Hamilton scale for depression (HDRS), the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and extrapyramidal symptom rating scale (ESRS) were applied at baseline and at weeks 1, 2 and 4. The clinical global impression scale (CGI) was evaluated at baseline and week 4.


RESULTS
The addition of quetiapine produced a statistically significant improvement on the YMRS, HDRS, BPRS and CGI score at week 4 from baseline (p<0.005). Quetiapine was well tolerated, with no subjects discontinuing because of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of quetiapine was associated with a substantial symptomatic improvement in patients with acute mania. Randomized placebo-controlled prospective studies are needed.
Bahk
Won-Myong
WM
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, St Mary's Hospital, 62 Yoido-Dong, Youngdeungpo-Gu, Seoul 150-713, Korea.
Yoon
Bo-Hyun
BH
Lee
Kyoung-Uk
KU
Chae
Jeong-Ho
JH
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate