Depot antipsychotics in bipolar affective disorder.

The effect of prophylactic treatment with depot antipsychotic drugs was examined in 16 patients with bipolar affective disorder. The frequency and duration of illness episodes occurring during depot treatment was compared to that which occurred when these patients were treated with other agents over a corresponding time period. Treatment with depot antipsychotics was associated with a significant decrease in the frequency and duration of manic episodes, but not depressive episodes. Thus prophylactic treatment with depot antipsychotic drugs is likely to be of benefit in patients with bipolar illness who experience frequent manic episodes despite treatment with lithium and/or carbamazepine.