Antiepileptics most commonly prescribed for newly diagnosed bipolar patients in USA

Examination of US patient-level claims data shows that antiepileptic drugs (AED) are the most commonly prescribed drug class among newly diagnosed bipolar disorder patients across the first three lines of therapy, according to the findings of a new report from health care advisory firm Decision Resources.

“Leading agents within the AED class are effective at treating the range of bipolar symptoms: lamotrigine (GlaxoSmithKline’s Lamictal, generics) is a popular first-line option to treat bipolar depression - and offers tolerability advantages over lithium - while valproic acid and its derivatives (Abbott/Sanofi’s Depakote, Abbott’s Depakote ER, Tatumi Kagaku’s Sanoten, generics) are effective options to treat patients experiencing acute manic episodes,” said DR director Nicole Westphal.

According to Treatment Algorithms in Bipolar Disorder, atypical antipsychotics are also widely used to treat newly diagnosed bipolar disorder patients, with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka’s Abilify (aripiprazole) leading other branded agents in this class across the first three lines of therapy. Abilify is the most commonly prescribed individual atypical antipsychotic in the second and third line of therapy.