Atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of mood disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use and the usefulness of atypical antipsychotics in patients with affective symptomatology. Recent literature has been reviewed to show the potential use and usefulness of the atypical medications in patients suffering from depression or mania.


RESULTS
The use of amisulpride, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone in depression (both bipolar I and II) as well as in manic states has been evaluated. Preference was given to well designed randomized clinical trials. The effectiveness of the atypical antipsychotics in manic states has been shown. It is suggested that when an antipsychotic agent is needed, preference should be given to an atypical antipsychotic over the classic drug.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential benefit from the use of atypical antipsychotics in both depression and mania seems to be clinically justified.
Jarema
Marek
M
III Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland. Jarema@ipin.edu.pl
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents