Combination treatment with aripiprazole and valproic acid for acute mania: an 8-week, single-blind, randomized...

Despite the fact that combination treatment for patients with acute bipolar is prevalent in clinical practice, the outcomes of adjunct treatment with aripiprazole and a mood stabilizer have rarely been reported. The aim of this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial was to investigate treatment efficacy and safety of aripiprazole as an adjunct to valproic acid (Ari+Val), compared with haloperidol plus valproic acid (Hal+Val), in acute manic patients.

Treatment efficacy was prospectively assessed for 8 weeks in 42 patients with acute mania using the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of illness scale. Emergent adverse events were assessed by the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale and the Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale.

Both Ari+Val and Hal+Val produced a high rate of response (85.7% and 92.9%, respectively) and remission (82.1% and 85.7%, respectively) after the 8-week trial. Changes in the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of illness scale over the study period and time to remission and response were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Patients treated with Ari+Val showed significantly fewer extrapyramidal adverse events than those treated with Hal+Val (t = -2.048, F = 40, P = 0.048). However, significant weight gain was more prevalent in the Ari+Val group than the Hal+Val group (t = 2.055, F = 40, P = 0.046).

Our findings suggest that both combination strategies with Ari+Val and Hal+Val are beneficial for acute manic episode. Although patients receiving Ari+Val showed fewer extrapyramidal symptoms than those taking Hal+Val, careful consideration of adverse events such as weight gain and sedation is warranted.