title: Controversies in the psychopharmacology of bipolar disorder.
abstract: Few studies have examined the decision-making process for selecting a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic for patients with bipolar disorder. Despite a lack of evidence regarding their efficacy, conventional unimodal antidepressants continue to be used in bipolar treatment regimens. This article examines pharmacologic principles that can facilitate the evidence-based use of mood stabilizers and antipsychotics in patients with bipolar disorder. Choosing therapies for the maintenance of bipolar disorder, clinical decision making upon observation of a partial response, the use of combination therapies, and benefit/harm considerations when choosing a treatment for bipolar depression will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, and the Bipolar Collaborative Network, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ostacher
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents