Korean Medication Algorithm for Bipolar Disorder 2018 : Depressive Episode / 우울ㆍ조울병

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Since the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) was developed in 2002, the fourth revision of KMAP-BP was completed in 2018 in order to reflect the recent rapid research and development into bipolar disorder and psychopharmacology.METHODS: According to the methodology of previous versions, KMAP-BP 2018 was revised using a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions. Among eighty-four experts of the review committee, sixty-one completed the survey.RESULTS: The first-line pharmacotherapeutic strategy for acute bipolar depressive episode with moderate, non-psychotic severe and psychotic severe episode was mood stabilizer (MS) combined with atypical antipsychotic (AAP) or AAP with lamotrigine. Switching or adding AAP, lamotrigine, or MS as 2nd strategies and clozapine or augmentation of buspirone, stimulant, or thyroid hormone as 3rd strategies were recommended. Compared to the previous KMAP-BP series, preference of AAP and lamotrigine has increased in the treatment of bipolar depressive episode in KMAP-BP 2018. Among the AAPs, olanzapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole were preferred.CONCLUSION: Compared with the previous versions, we found that more active pharmacological strategies using AAP and lamotrigine as initial and next treatment strategies, respectively, were preferred, although few drugs were approved for bipolar depression.