Authors: Altamura AC, et al.
Title: Efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine in the treatment of bipolar disorder: preliminary evidence from a 12-month open-label study.
Reference: J Affect Disord 2003;76:267-71.
Purpose: To compare the efficacy of flexible doses of quetiapine with other mood stabilizers in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder.
Study design: Randomized, open-label trial.
Follow up: 12 months.
Patients: 28 outpatients with bipolar disorder (14 quetiapine, 8 valproate, 4 lithium, and 1 gabapentin).
Treatment: Quetiapine titrated to mean of 157.7 + 157.6 mg/day, valproate 492.6 + 247 mg/day, lithium 675 + 150 mg/day, and gabapentin 300 mg/day.
Results: All patients experienced a significant improvement in depressive symptoms.