title: Treating bipolar disorder: monotherapy versus combination therapy.
abstract: Combination treatments for patients with bipolar disorder can be potentially advantageous for patients due to the therapeutic synergy. However, combining treatments can also increase the possibility of drug interactions and adverse effects. When considering using combination therapy, clinicians should evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the combination for each individual patient. Physicians should exercise caution when treating patients with a combination of medications and strive to use monotherapy when feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences and the Bipolar Disorders Clinic, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Terence A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ketter
mesh_terms: D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents