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Effectiveness of aripiprazole v. haloperidol in acute bipolar mania: double-blind, randomised, comparative 12-week
Eduard Vieta1, Michel Bourin, Raymond Sanchez
1Director of Research, Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
Despite several treatmentoptions, adherenceto therapy is poor in patients with bipolar disorder.
Aims:
A double-blind, controlled comparison of aripiprazole and haloperidol in patients with bipolar I disorder experiencing acute manic or mixed episodes.
Method:
Patients (n=347) were randomised to receive aripiprazole or haloperidol in this 12-week, multicentre study. The primary outcome measure was the number of patients in response (greater, similar 50% improvement from baseline in Young Mania Rating Scale score) and receiving therapy at week 12.
Results:
At week 12, significantly more patients taking aripiprazole (49.7%) were in response and receiving therapy compared with those taking haloperidol (28.4%; P < 0.001). Continuation rates differed markedly between treatments (week 12: aripiprazole, 50.9%; haloperidol, 29.1%). Extrapyramidal adverse events were more frequent with haloperidol than aripiprazole (62.7% v. 24.0%).
Conclusions:
Aripiprazole showed superior levels of response and tolerability to haloperidol in the treatment of an acute manic episode for up to 12 weeks.