Bibliographic information

GuidelineMental Health Gap Action Programme (‎mhGAP)‎ guideline for mental, neurological and substance use disorders, [‎3rd ed.]‎.
Year of Publication2023
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization

Recommendation

Updated

Psychotropic medicines (antipsychotic medicines, namely aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone; and mood stabilizers, namely lithium) should be considered under specialist supervision for adolescents with bipolar disorder (current episode manic), carefully balancing effectiveness, side-effects and individual preference.

Recommended in favor

Conditional

Notes and Remarks

Remarks y There is not enough evidence to recommend the use of psychotropic medicine in adolescents with bipolar disorder (current episode depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that olanzapine–fluoxetine combination (very low certainty) and lurasidone (high certainty) are effective in reducing bipolar symptoms in adolescents with bipolar disorder (current episode depression).

Implementation considerations y Adolescents living with bipolar disorder should be involved in medicine choice in a supported decision-making process.