Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2003 Dec;14(4):354-359.

Efficacy of Combination of Mood Stabilizer with Quetiapine for Treatment of Acute Episode of Bipolar Disorder: an Open Label Study

• Bahk WM
• Yoon BH
• Lee KU
• Bae SO
• Chae JH
• Jun TY
• Kim KS
• Lew TY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The atypical antipsychotics are being increasingly used to control acute episode of bipolar disorder, and data are emerging to support their mood-stabilizing and antidepressant properties. This study investigated the short-term efficacy of quetiapine as a combination therapy in the treatment of acute bipolar I disorder. METHODS: This study was a 4-week, open-label, combination, prospective investigation using quetiapine in addition to mood stabilizers. Data of 18 patients fulfilling DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for bipolar I disorder were analyzed. The Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), the Hamilton Scale for Depression (HDRS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale (ESRS) were applied at baseline and at week 1, 2 and 4. The Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) was evaluated at baseline and week 4. RESULTS: The addition of quetiapine produced a statistically significant improvement on the YMRS, HDRS, BPRS and CGI score at week 4 from baseline (p<0.01). Significant improvement on the ESRS-Parkinsonism subscore was observed at week 1, 2 and 4 from baseline (p<0.05). Quetiapine was well tolerated, with no subjects discontinuing because of side effects. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that combination of quetiapine was an effective and safe treatment in patients with acute episode of bipolar disorder. Randomized placebo-controlled prospective studies with increased sample size are needed.

Keyword

Quetiapine; Bipolar disorder; Pharmacotherapy

MeSH Terms

Antipsychotic Agents
Bipolar Disorder*
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Depression
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Drug Therapy
Humans
Prospective Studies
Sample Size
Quetiapine Fumarate
Antipsychotic Agents