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Antipsychotic drug side effect issues in bipolar manic patients
1Bipolar and Psychotic Disorders Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655, USA. carlos.zarate@umassmed.edu
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|May 16, 2000
Summary
Antipsychotics are common in bipolar disorder treatment but have drawbacks. Atypical antipsychotics may offer benefits over conventional ones due to fewer side effects and better functioning.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antipsychotics are frequently prescribed for bipolar disorder maintenance, despite limited systematic efficacy studies.
- Patients often receive multiple medications, including antipsychotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role and limitations of antipsychotics in the long-term management of bipolar disorder.
- To compare conventional and atypical antipsychotics in bipolar disorder treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antipsychotic use in bipolar disorder.
- Analysis of efficacy and adverse effect profiles of conventional and atypical antipsychotics.
Main Results:
- Conventional antipsychotics show comparable acute mania efficacy to lithium but have significant long-term limitations.
- Adverse effects of conventional antipsychotics (e.g., extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain) reduce compliance and may negatively impact illness course.
- Atypical antipsychotics present a potentially favorable side effect profile and thymoleptic properties.
Conclusions:
- Conventional antipsychotics have significant drawbacks for long-term bipolar disorder maintenance.
- Atypical antipsychotics may be a more suitable option for bipolar patients needing antipsychotic treatment due to improved tolerability and functioning.