The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7411 p128
29 July 2006

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NICE publishes guidance for the management of bipolar disorder

This week a new guideline for the management of people with bipolar disorder has been issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health.

NICE has listed a number of key priorities that need to be considered when choosing drugs to treat bipolar disorder; for example, valproate should not be prescribed routinely for women of child-bearing potential. The guideline also says that people with bipolar disorder should have an annual physical health review — looking at lipid levels, blood glucose, weight, smoking, alcohol use and blood pressure — which can take place in primary care.

Clinical guidance is provided for managing acute episodes, long-term management of bipolar disorder, and managing bipolar disorder in pregnant women, children and adolescents.