Treatment of bipolar disorder with antipsychotic medication: issues shared with schizophrenia.

Atypical antipsychotics are increasingly used in bipolar disorder as antimanic, antidepressant, and maintenance treatments. Many of the clinical issues related to switching antipsychotics are similar between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These include similar motivations for switching due to limited efficacy and unacceptable adverse effects. Particular attention must be paid to the phase of treatment and coprescribed medications.