A 38-year-old woman with bipolar I disorder is currently in a moderate depressive episode with no manic symptoms. Her psychiatrist wants to initiate a medication with established efficacy for acute bipolar depression. Which of the following is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of bipolar depression?
- A Sertraline monotherapy
- B Lamotrigine monotherapy
- C Quetiapine monotherapy ✓
- D Venlafaxine monotherapy
Correct answer: C. Quetiapine monotherapy
Explanation
Quetiapine is FDA-approved for acute bipolar depression. Antidepressants like sertraline and venlafaxine are generally avoided as monotherapy in bipolar depression because of the risk of inducing mania or rapid cycling. Lamotrigine is approved for maintenance treatment to prevent depressive episodes but has limited efficacy in acute bipolar depression.
Reference: Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology, 5th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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