Authors: Strakowski SM, et al.
Title: Quetiapine monotherapy for mania associated with bipolar disorder.
Reference: Presented at the 42nd ACNP annual meeting 2003. [Congress poster]
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of quetiapine monotherapy for the treamtent of mania.
Study design: A combined analysis of data from two randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies.
Follow up: 12 weeks.
Patients: 604 patients (209 quetiapine, 198 placebo). Controls to assess assay: 99 haloperidol, 98 lithium.
Treatment: Quetiapine titrated to 800mg/day depending on response, haloperidol titrated to 8mg/day, and lithium adjusted to 0.6-1.4mEq/L.
Results: A significant improvement in YMRS score was observed with quetiapine from day 4 onwards. Lithium and haloperidol were similar to quetiapine in all efficacy measures. Quetiapine was well tolerated and was not associated with EPS.