Pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder and acute mania

Pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder is challenging. Symptomatology over the course of the disease can manifest in different ways: as acute mania, hypomania, bipolar depression and mixed states. Adherence of patients with bipolar disorder is complex, and psychiatric comorbidities play an important role. Relevant national and international guidelines are discussed in this review, and state-of-the-art recommendations are presented. A major purpose is to provide the reader with an appropriate overview of current treatment modalities.