Olanzapine in the prevention of postpartum psychosis and mood episodes in bipolar disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The use of olanzapine (OLZ) in the prevention of postpartum psychosis (PP) and mood episodes in women with bipolar disorder was investigated in a naturalistic, prospective study.


METHODS
Eleven women received OLZ alone or in combination with an antidepressant or mood stabilizer, and 14 women received either antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or no medication for a minimum of 4 weeks after delivery.


RESULTS
Two (18.2%) of the women in the OLZ group experienced a postpartum mood episode, whereas eight (57.1%) of the women in the No-OLZ group did.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of OLZ in the prophylaxis of PP and mood episodes, particularly in women at high risk, clearly warrants further investigation.
Sharma
Verinder
V
Department of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada. vsharma@uwo.ca
Smith
Angela
A
Mazmanian
Dwight
D
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine