Bipolar Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bipolar, including details on bipolar disorder, symptoms, treatment, depression, medication.

Olanzapine in the prevention of postpartum psychosis and mood episodes in bipolar disorder.

Sharma V, Smith A, Mazmanian D

Department of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.

The use of olanzapine (OLZ) in the prevention of postpartum psychosis (PP) and mood episodes in women with bipolar disorder was investigated in a naturalistic, prospective study. Eleven women received OLZ alone or in combination with an antidepressant or mood stabilizer, and 14 women received either antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or no medication for a minimum of 4 weeks after delivery. Two (18.2%) of the women in the OLZ group experienced a postpartum mood episode, whereas eight (57.1%) of the women in the No-OLZ group did. The role of OLZ in the prophylaxis of PP and mood episodes, particularly in women at high risk, clearly warrants further investigation.

Published 1 August 2006 in Bipolar Disord, 8(4): 400-4.
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