BIPOLAR DISORDER Flashcards
What is bipolar disorder?
Alternating depression and mania can last for several weeks or months
o depression - feeling very low and lethargic
o mania - feeling very high and overactive
What are the different mood states of BPD?
- Low or depressive
- High or manic
- Hypomanic
- Mixed
What is TYPE 1 BPD?
- 1 high/manic ep = longer than a week
- May only experience mania
- Some experience deep depression after 1 ep of mania
- Manic ep may last 3-6 months
What is TYPE 2 BPD?
- 1 or more ep of severe depression
- 1 or more hypomania = at least 4 days
- No mania
1st Generation antipsychotics (typical)
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Flupentixol
2nd Gen antipsychotics (atypical)
Quetiapine
Olanzapine
Risperidone
Clozapine
Atypical antipsychotics - MoA
Block post-synaptic dopamine (D2) receptors.
Also have activity at other receptors (5-HT2A)
Atypical antipsychotics - General side effects
Metabolic disturbances
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Lipid changes
Prolong QT interval
- Arrhythmias
Typical vs atypical
Compared to typical antipsychotics:
- Greater activity at other receptors (antagonism of 5-HT2A)
- Looser binding to D2 receptors.
- Lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.
- More efficacious in treatment resistant schizophrenia.
Risperidone: SFx
Increased prolactin
Breast symptoms (men and women)
Sexual dysfunction
Clozapine - RARE SFx
Agranulocytosis (severe deficiency of neutrophils) = severe infections
Myocarditis
How long should treatment be for bipolar
- For at least 2 yrs since the last manic episode
- Or up to 5 yrs if pt has risk factors for relapse
Which drugs are used in BPD
- AP
- HORQ - Carbamazepine
- Valproate
- LITHIUM
ACUTE treatment for mania/hypomania
- Review meds
* Stop antidepressant immediately, don’t taper down - FIRST LINE: Haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone
- Continue for at least 4 weeks after symptoms have subsided to maintain stability.
- If response is inadequate, then lithium (off label) or valproate may be added.
* If already on lithium – check levels and add antipsychotic
* If on valproate – increase dose and add antipsychotic if no improvement
What is the main use of antipsychotics in bipolar?
To treat **acute episodes ** of mania and hypomania
What do you do in the ACUTE treatment of BPD if antipsychotic response are inadequate
Lithium (off label) or valproate may be added.
PROPHYLAXIS/LONGTERM TREATMENT of BPD
- Psychological intervention
- Drug history
1. FIRST LINE: Lithium
o Most effective long term treatment
o Consider likelihood of recurrence in the individual patient
- SECOND LINE: Valproate
o If lithium is not tolerated or contraindicated
o Can be used as monotherapy or in combination of lithium if lithium alone is ineffective - Olanzapine or quetiapine as alternatives
- Benzodiazepines
- Carbamazepine