Aripiprazole in bipolar maintenance Authors: Marcus R, et al. Title: Long-term efficacy of aripiprazole in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Reference: American College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2003. [Congress abstract] Purpose: To compare aripiprazole with placebo in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. Study design: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Follow up: 26 weeks. Patients: 161 patients with bipolar disorder. Treatment: Aripiprazole 15–30 mg/day or placebo. Results: Time to relapse of bipolar symptoms was significantly longer, and the total number of relapses (manic, mixed, or depressive) was significantly reduced, with aripiprazole compared with placebo. Time to relapse of manic symptoms was also significantly longer with aripiprazole, but time to relapse of depressive symptoms was not significantly affected.
