Role of antidepressants in bipolar depression.

A gap exists between the standard of care for bipolar depression and actual clinical practice. Although practice guidelines advise against treating bipolar depression with antidepressant monotherapy, this is the most frequently prescribed initial treatment. To provide quality care and improve patient outcomes, clinicians must be aware of the benefits and dangers of antidepressant use in bipolar disorder. Further, they must be informed about alternative, more efficacious treatment options for patients with depressive symptoms. © Copyright 2010 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.