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Ziprasidone monotherapy in bipolar II depression: an open trial
Michael R Liebowitz1, Ester Salmán, Arnold Mech
1The Medical Research Network, LLC, New York, NY 10024, USA.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|March 7, 2009
Summary
Ziprasidone shows promise for treating bipolar II depression, with significant symptom improvement and good tolerability. Further placebo-controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Atypical neuroleptics are under investigation for bipolar depression.
- Ziprasidone offers a favorable side effect profile compared to other atypical neuroleptics.
- Limited research exists on ziprasidone for bipolar depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ziprasidone as a monotherapy for bipolar II patients with major depressive episodes.
- To assess the efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone in this population over an 8-week open-label trial.
Main Methods:
- Thirty bipolar II patients with major depressive episodes participated.
- Ziprasidone dosage ranged from 20 mg twice daily to 60 mg twice daily.
- Efficacy was measured using multiple rating scales, including HAM-D, HAM-A, MADRS, and BDI.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed on HAM-D, CGI-S, BDI, MADRS, and HAM-A scores.
- Response rates reached 60% and remission rates reached 43% by study end.
- Ziprasidone was generally well-tolerated, with no manic switch and manageable hypomania.
Conclusions:
- Ziprasidone appears to be a rapid, effective, and well-tolerated treatment for bipolar II depression at relatively low doses.
- Preliminary findings suggest ziprasidone's potential in managing bipolar depression.
- Larger, placebo-controlled trials are necessary to validate these results.
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