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.