Risperidone Tops Other Choices for Treating Young Bipolar Patients

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Choose risperidone(Drug information on risperidone) as the initial drug to treat young bipolar patients, but watch closely for serious metabolic side effects. This controlled, randomized, multicenter trial of nearly 300 child and adolescent bipolar patients showed risperidone was more effective than lithium or divalproex sodium(Drug information on divalproex sodium) as the initial treatment of childhood mania. But risperidone led to increased weight gain, body mass index, and prolactin levels compared to the other two drugs.


RESULT: Lithium(Drug information on lithium) Divalproex Initial Treatment Bipolar I &c=ps&ss=defLink&fr=true">A Randomized Controlled Trial of Risperidone, Lithium, or Divalproex Sodium for Initial Treatment of Bipolar I Disorder, Manic or Mixed Phase, in Children and Adolescents
Archives of General Psychiatry | Jan 2, 2012 (Free abstract. Full text $30)


Second-generation antipsychotics are particularly effective in treating acute manic episodes of bipolar I disorder among young patients. However, we need more information about the treatment of other mood states and subtypes of bipolar disorder, states the author of the report below, and we should not neglect the potential of psychosocial treatments.


RESULT: Recent Progress in Understanding Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Archives of General Psychiatry | Jan 2, 2012 (Free abstract. Full text $30)