[Second generation antipsychotics in bipolar depression: a new therapeutic option?]

Bipolar depression, the most common phase of bipolar disorder, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Lithium, anticonvulsants or antidepressants offer some clinical efficacy. However, efficacy can be limited and side effects are sometimes problematic. There is still a major unmet need for effective, well-tolerated agents for the treatment of bipolar depression. The second-generation antipsychotics, with their proven efficacy against manic symptoms, are emerging as candidates for use against the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. Several studies have shown that some second-generation antipsychotics may improve depressive symptoms in mixed episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. More recently, specific studies have been performed in patients with bipolar depressive episodes. Quetiapine or olanzapine, as monotherapy or associated with other compounds, demonstrate an interesting efficacy. The international guidelines for the treatment of bipolar depression have identified quetiapine as a first line treatment in monotherapy. Second generation antipsychotics may prove to be important future treatments for patients with bipolar depression.