EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychiatric condition characterized by extreme mood fluctuations, including manic and depressive episodes. Pharmacological treatment is crucial for the management of this condition, aiming at mood stabilization and prevention of future episodes. This integrative review evaluated the efficacy of the main pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics and antidepressants. The analysis revealed that mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproic acid and lamotrigine, demonstrate significant efficacy in preventing manic and depressive episodes. Second-generation antipsychotics showed superior efficacy in reducing manic symptoms with a more favorable side effect profile compared to first-generation antipsychotics. The use of antidepressants, although useful for depressive episodes, should be carefully monitored due to the risk of inducing manic episodes. The variability in treatment response and adverse effects highlight the importance of personalized therapy and ongoing support to improve adherence and clinical outcomes. Future research should focus on identifying biomarkers and evaluating new therapeutic options to improve the management of bipolar disorder.