title: Effect of initial ziprasidone dose on treatment outcome of korean patients with acute manic or mixed episodes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone combined with divalproex to determine the relationship between the initial dose of ziprasidone and the treatment effect among Korean patients with acute bipolar manic or mixed disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a 6-week, open-label, prospective investigation of Korean patients with an acute manic or mixed episode of bipolar disorder. Sixty-five patients were recruited. The patients were categorized based on the initial dose of ziprasidone as follows: low (20-79 mg/day) and standard (80 mg/day). Ziprasidone was given in combination with divalproex in flexible doses, according to the clinical response and tolerability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response and remission rates were significantly higher in the standard-dose group than the low-dose group. The combination of ziprasidone and divalproex was well-tolerated and adverse events were mostly mild with no statistically significant increase in body weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study showed that a standard starting dose of ziprasidone in combination with divalproex for bipolar disorder is more effective than a low starting dose.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Young Sup
authors: YS
authors: Woo
authors: Won-Myong
authors: WM
authors: Bahk
authors: Soo Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Jo
authors: Bo-Hyun
authors: BH
authors: Yoon
authors: Jung Goo
authors: JG
authors: Lee
authors: Won
authors: W
authors: Kim
authors: Jong-Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Jeong
authors: Jeong Seok
authors: JS
authors: Seo
authors: Kyung Joon
authors: KJ
authors: Min
authors: Duk-In
authors: DI
authors: Jon