Venlafaxine study makes case for antidepressants in bipolar II depression

Practice guidelines for the treatment of bipolar depression generally avoid recommending antidepressants because of concerns about inducing manic switching, but a new study comparing venlafaxine with lithium suggests that antidepressants can be safe and effective for a subgroup of patients. The study of patients with bipolar II depression found greater response and remission rates with venlafaxine compared with lithium, and no significant differences in the onset of manic symptoms between the two treatments. Study results were published online Feb. 18 in The British Journal of Psychiatry.
Source: The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Bipolar Disorder Treatment Source Type: research