title: Effectiveness of aripiprazole v. haloperidol in acute bipolar mania: double-blind, randomised, comparative 12-week trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite several treatmentoptions, adherenceto therapy is poor in patients with bipolar disorder.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A double-blind, controlled comparison of aripiprazole and haloperidol in patients with bipolar I disorder experiencing acute manic or mixed episodes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n=347) were randomised to receive aripiprazole or haloperidol in this 12-week, multicentre study. The primary outcome measure was the number of patients in response (greater, similar 50% improvement from baseline in Young Mania Rating Scale score) and receiving therapy at week 12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At week 12, significantly more patients taking aripiprazole (49.7%) were in response and receiving therapy compared with those taking haloperidol (28.4%; P < 0.001). Continuation rates differed markedly between treatments (week 12: aripiprazole, 50.9%; haloperidol, 29.1%). Extrapyramidal adverse events were more frequent with haloperidol than aripiprazole (62.7% v. 24.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aripiprazole showed superior levels of response and tolerability to haloperidol in the treatment of an acute manic episode for up to 12 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Director of Research, Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vieta
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bourin
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: Elyse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stock
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McQuade
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: Neveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abou-Gharbia
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swanink
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D011388:Prolactin; D006220:Haloperidol