Antimanic Medications: Pharmacological Properties and Evidence for Acute-Phase Efficacy

Key points
- In comparison with the data available for the use of antidepressant drugs in the treatment of major depressive disorder, the literature involving the efficacy of antimanic drugs is more limited.
- Whereas there is general agreement that the monoamine systems are involved in antidepressant responses, the neural systems involved in the mechanism of antimanic drugs are poorly defined.
- Drugs with established antimanic properties have a wide variety of pharmacological properties.
- These drugs range from classic antipsychotic agents to a subset of anticonvulsants.
Antimanic Medications: Pharmacological Properties and Evidence for Acute-Phase Efficacy
In comparison with the data available for the use of antidepressant drugs in the treatment of major depressive disorder, the literature involving the efficacy of antimanic drugs is more limited. Whereas there is general agreement that the monoamine systems are involved in antidepressant responses, the neural systems involved in the mechanism of antimanic drugs are poorly defined.
Antidepressant and Antimanic Medications Introduction Diagnostic Indications and Contraindications
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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