Comparative clinical responses to risperidone and divalproex in patients with pediatric bipolar disorder.

Objective: To compare clinical responses of patients with pediatric bipolar disorder being treated with risperidone versus divalproex.

Methods: Medical records of outpatients younger than 18 years of age were reviewed to gather data on those who received risperidone or divalproex monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Effectiveness was assessed using the Clinical Global Impressions Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) scales assigned by the treating clinician at visits during the initial 3 months of treatment with risperidone or divalproex.

A comparison of divalproex and oxcarbazepine in aggressive youth with bipolar disorder.

Background: Divalproex (DVP) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) are used to treat pediatric bipolar disorder (PBPD) with severe aggression but these agents have not been compared in head to head trials.

Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed for those (age < 18) who received DVP (n = 20) or OXC (n = 11) for the treatment of PBPD with severe aggression. Change in prospectively rated Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scores that measured global improvement of mental illness from baseline and rates of discontinuation due to adverse effects at approximately 4 months were the primary outcomes.