Bipolar Disorder Daily News Blog

Bipolar I Disorder Treated with Albilify

Bipolar I disorder now has a new medication that can be used to treat it. Although the medication itself is not new, its use for Bipolar I disorder specifically is.

"Less than six months after approving Abilify tablets and oral solution to treat acute bipolar mania, FDA approved an additional indication for the drug March 1 to treat bipolar I disorder patients with a recent manic or mixed episode who have stabilized for at least six weeks. The product is jointly marketed by Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co.(otsuka.co.jp). Comprising aripiprazole, Abilify is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder, as well as its new indication. Since its initial approval in 2002, more than 3.7 million prescriptions have been written in the United States" (D'Amore, 2005).

Bipolar I Disorder is a form of being bipolar that alternates between the full symptoms of mania, and depressive episodes that are either less frequent or more mild. Hopefully this medication will only further help patients with Bipolar I Disorder. The approval by the FDA will likely lead Abilify to be prescribed for Bipolar I Disorder very soon.

Before altering one's medication make sure to consult with your psychiatrist.

For more information on Bipolar Disorder Medications go to: http://www.moodswing.org/meds.html