Efficacy and Safety of Iloperidone in Bipolar Mania: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

To determine if iloperidone, a second-generation antipsychotic, reduces symptoms of bipolar mania.

This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in adults with bipolar mania at 27 US and international sites between April 2021 and September 2022. Participants were randomized 1:1 to iloperidone (up to 24 mg/d given twice daily) or placebo for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline to week 4 in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) total score versus placebo. Secondary efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity and Clinical Global Impression of Change scales.

Altogether, 414 participants were randomized and administered at least 1 dose of study medication (iloperidone, n = 206; placebo, n = 208). Overall, 139 (67.1%) iloperidone patients and 153 (72.9%) placebo patients completed the study. Iloperidone demonstrated significant improvement versus placebo at week 4 for the primary and secondary endpoints. Differences in the least-squares mean (95% CI; P value) of change from baseline for YMRS total scores were -4.0 (-5.70 to -2.25; adjusted P = .000008). The most encountered adverse events with iloperidone were tachycardia, dizziness, dry mouth, alanine aminotransferase increased, nasal congestion, increased weight, and somnolence. The incidence of akathisia and extrapyramidal symptom-related treatment-emergent adverse events was low.

Iloperidone is effective in treating patients with bipolar mania. The tolerability and safety profile of iloperidone in bipolar mania is consistent with previous clinical studies of patients with schizophrenia, and no new safety concerns were identified.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04819776; EudraCT: 2020-000405-83.