Is there a role for neuroleptics in bipolar depression ?

• Published in: The journal of clinical psychiatry Vol. 55; no. 12; pp. 533 - 535
• Main Authors: HENDRICK, V, ALTSHULER, L. L, SZUBA, M. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Memphis, TN Physicians Postgraduate Press 01-12-1994
• Subjects: Adult; Antidepressive Agents - administration & dosage; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Antipsychotic Agents - administration & dosage; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar Disorder - drug therapy; Bipolar Disorder - psychology; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Psycholeptics: tranquillizer, neuroleptic; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Recurrence; Case study; Human; Mood disorder; Chemotherapy; Neuroleptic; Psychotropic; Treatment efficiency; Bipolar disorder
• ISSN: 0160-6689; 1555-2101

Lithium, carbamazepine, and valproic acid reduce relapse rates in most bipolar patients. However, some patients with bipolar illness fail to obtain antidepressant benefits from these medications, despite appropriate dosages of and duration on therapy with these drugs.
Three bipolar patients were followed in an open fashion on thymoleptic and neuroleptic medications. With discontinuation of neuroleptics, each patient relapsed into depression and was then restarted on neuroleptic treatment.
These three patients responded rapidly to readministration of neuroleptics to their pharmacologic regimen.
Some bipolar patients experience depressive relapse following neuroleptic discontinuation. With reinstitution of the neuroleptic, they show rapid improvement in mood.