What FDA approved medicines treat bipolar in children and teens?

The FDA has approved medications for teenagers with bipolar disorder. Other medications that are used for treating bipolar disorder are used "off label". This means the medications are not approved by the FDA for this use. The FDA has approved drugs used in short-term clinical trials. This means researchers still do not know the full impact of long-term use of medications used to treat teens with bipolar disorder. Some of the drugs approved for use in teens, ages 13 to 17, include atypical antipsychotics such as aripipazole (Abilify), quetiapine (Seroquel) and risperidone (Resperidol). The FDA has also approved the use of olanzapine (Zyprexa) for teens ages 13 to 17 with bipolar 1 disorder. Bipolar I symptoms include major depression and mania, while bipolar II symptoms include major depression and hypomania. Lithium is a mood stabilizer approved by the FDA for teens ages 12 to 17. While anticonvulsants (Depakote and Topamax) are used for teens, these drugs are not FDA approved for use in youth with bipolar disorder. Recently, the FDA has put a warning on antidepressants used for teens with depression. The drugs are thought to increase the risk of suicide in teens. To date, there are no FDA approved drugs for children under age 10 with bipolar disorder. Clinical trials are underway to determine the side effects of these bipolar drugs in both children and youth.