Gli antipsicotici di seconda generazione nella prevenzione delle recidive in corso di disturbo bipolare: focus su aripiprazolo e quetiapina

Abstract

Introduction

Mood stabilization is an important goal in the treatment of bipolar disorder. In addition to well-established mood stabilizers (lithium, certain anticonvulsants), atypical antipsychotic drugs, including aripiprazole and quetiapine, have also been assessed for this purpose.

Materials and methods

This article reviews two studies on atypical antipsychotic monotherapy for mood stabilization: one that examined aripiprazole, the other quetiapine. Both studies had designs similar to those used to obtain regulatory approval of these drugs for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder.

Results

Aripiprazole prevented manic relapses but not the depressive ones, whereas quetiapine was able to prevent both types of recurrence. The safety profiles of the two drugs were compatible with previously reported data.

Discussion

Compared with aripiprazole, quetiapine seems to be more effective for the prevention of acute recurrences in patients with bipolar disorder.