New Bipolar Medication Research

Research studies are being conducted on new bipolar medications. These medications are atypical antipsychotic that are approved by the FDA, for treatment associated with acute manic bipolar disorders. The latest new drugs are aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, ziprasidone and risperidone.

The Food and Drug Administration research studies find that no one drug has been shown to be affected in treating bipolar disorders. Psychiatrists use combined drugs for treatment. Studies show that using antipsychotic drugs along with valproate or lithium is effective. The new drug risperidone, is an additional improvement.

Gary Sachs, M.D. of the general Hospital in Boston, conducted a study submitting 158 patients for treatment. The study was random and 85 patients were weaned off double blind trial medications and put on risperidone plus mood stabilizers for ten weeks. Clinical trials supported adding risperidone had benefits for patients after three weeks.

Lamotrigine approved by the US Food and Drug administration, in a 12 week study, showed that when combined with valproate, does improve serve cases of bipolar. The study showed that there are some side effects associated with the use of Lamotrigine. Approximately 6.3 percent of patients dropped out of the study, due to a rash. These patients were taking 200 mg. Dr. Joseph R. Calabrese of the University Reserve School of Medicine came up with a way to manage the side effects, by starting a patient on lower doses and gradually upping the doses after two to three weeks.

Study shows that these new drugs work differently for some people and has different side effects. The effectiveness of these medications show positive effects and more controlled studies need to be conducted.