Effectiveness and Tolerability of Lurasidone for Bipolar Types I and II and Other Specified Bipolar Depression: A 12-Week Observational Study.

BACKGROUND

There are few guidelines on the management of depressive episodes in patients with bipolar type II (BDII) and related disorders (other specified bipolar and related disorders [OSBD]). Lurasidone is a potential option for treating depressive episodes in BDII/OSBD. This retrospective chart review study aimed to examine the effectiveness and tolerability of lurasidone for use in patients with bipolar depression.

METHODS

We reviewed 66 consecutive outpatients with bipolar depression who were prescribed lurasidone between June 2020 and January 2021 and examined 12-week outcomes. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with BDI, and 52 patients were diagnosed with BDII/OSBD (42 BDII and 10 OSBD). Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self-Report (QIDS-SR) at baseline and 2, 4, and 12 weeks. Tolerability was assessed throughout the study period by the incidence of adverse events, such as akathisia, nausea, and manic/hypomanic switch, as well as the lurasidone dropout rate due to adverse events.

RESULTS

The total QIDS-SR score at 2 ( P < 0.001), 4 ( P < 0.001), and 12 weeks ( P < 0.001) was significantly lower than that measured at baseline. Remission rate during study period was 29.1%. Of the 66 participants, 47 (71.2%) continued taking lurasidone and 27 (40.9%) and 16 (24.2%) reported adverse events and akathisia, respectively. No significant difference in total QIDS-SR score, dropout rate due to adverse events, rate of adverse events, or rate of akathisia was found between the BDII/OSBD and BDI groups.

IMPLICATIONS: Lurasidone is tolerated and could be effective for managing depressive episodes in patients with BDII/OSBD and BDI.