[Treatment options for bipolar mania].

The diagnosis and treatment of bipolar mania are extremely challenging. Therapeutic intervention for mania has traditionally relied on the use of lithium or divalproex as a first-line treatment option. However, due to the limited therapeutic range of these agents, typical neuroleptics have often been used. Although these have demonstrated efficacy in mania, they are often associated with significant side effects, especially extrapyramidal symptoms. Thus, atypical antipsychotics are increasingly preferred in the treatment of bipolar mania. In this review, data from controlled studies for several of the atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of mania are surveyed and issues in the selection of an appropriate atypical agent are discussed.