Spotlight on quetiapine in acute mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder

Quetiapine (Seroque](R)), an atypical antipsychotic with established efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia. shows efficacy in the treatment of acute mania and depression associated with bipolar disorder. Quetiapine, either as monotherapy or in combination with lithium or divalproex sodium (valproate semisodium), is generally well tolerated and effective in reducing manic symptoms in adult and adolescent patients with acute bipolar mania, and is approved for use in adults for this indication. As monotherapy, the drug is also effective in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with bipolar depression. It is associated with a low incidence of extrapyramidal symptom (EPS)-related adverse events and low EPS ratings in bipolar disorder. Quetiapine thus shows potential in the treatment of bipolar depression, and represents a useful agent for the treatment of acute bipolar mania.