Trials Shows Risperidone’s Efficacy against Childhood Onset Mania

A recent study shows that the atypical antipsychotic Risperidone is more effective in addressing childhood-onset mania compared to lithium and divalproex sodium, the common choice of drugs used for it. In addition, trials show that Risperidone is more tolerated by children. The study involved 279 children aged 6 to 15 years old with bipolar I disorder, which is primarily consists of manic episodes.

 

Risperidone superior to lithium against mania

For the trial, the participants are given lithium, divalproex sodium or Risperidone twice daily. Then their outcome was measured using Clinical Global Impression for Bipolar Illness Improvement – Mania scale.

During the course of the trial, 24.7% of the participants discontinued treatment. Both Risperidone and divalproex sodium group got good response rate. But the rate for discontinuance is higher in the lithium group and divalproex sodium. Outcomes were similar in both younger and older children, those with or without psychosis and for those who are and not on stimulant medications.

The trial shows that Risperidone shows good response rate and low risk of discontinuance among participants of the study. But nevertheless, unexpected side effects are still profound among the participants. Though Risperidone showed greatest efficacy, it also showed more side effects compared to lithium and divalproex sodium. Weight gain is the most common complaint, followed by increased serum LDL cholesterol levels.

It is proven by previous research studies that early-childhood obesity is linked to early-adulthood onset diabetes. According to the researchers, their study is one of the largest and the most rigorous in investigating effective drugs against childhood mania.

 

The results of the study is now available on the January 2012 online edition of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. The study was supported by grants from National Institute of Mental Health and various universities and mental health research groups.

 

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