Acute Treatment of Bipolar Disorder with Adjunctive Risperidone in Outpatients

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Abstract
Objective: To test the hypothesis that, although typical neuroleptics are commonly used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, newer atypical antipsychotic agents, like risperidone, may be more effective and better-tolerated. Method: The effectiveness of risperidone was evaluated in 14 outpatients with bipolar disorder, type I, who received risperidone for 6.4 ± 2.7 weeks at 2.75 ± 1.8 mg/day. Results: Nine (64%) patients were much improved based on Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores, and mean Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores improved from 48.2 ± 4.9 to 58.8 ± 7.3 (t = 4.49, P = 0.0006, paired t test). Treatment was well tolerated, and no patient experienced worsening of mood symptoms while receiving risperidone. Conclusion: This open series suggests risperidone is beneficial in the treatment of outpatients with bipolar disorder.