Efficacy of quetiapine monotherapy in rapid-cycling bipolar disorder in comparison with sodium valproate.

Background: Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is often characterized by a lack of response to psychopharmacological treatment, and a standard therapy has not been developed yet. The aim of this study was to examine the long-term efficacy and safety of a monotherapy with quetiapine or sodium valproate (VPA) in patients with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

Methods: This open-label, randomized, parallel group monotherapy pilot study was conducted at 3 German centers.