Understanding and
differentiating bipolar I
and bipolar II depression

Bipolar depression is debilitating and difficult to diagnose1-3

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to think clearly.3,4 Patients with bipolar disorder can experience highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) in mood. The depressive phases or “lows” of bipolar disorder are often very debilitating and difficult to manage for patients.2

~11 million adults are affected by bipolar disorder in the US with similar prevalence between males and females4,5

Depressive episodes can be longer and more frequent than manic/hypomanic episodes6

Patients with bipolar disorder are 3 times more likely to experience bipolar depression than mania. Approximately 90% reported severe impairment due to depressive episodes1,7

Patients often face delays before receiving appropriate treatment3

~75% of patients with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed, most often with major depressive disorder (MDD). It may take up to 10 years before patients with bipolar disorder receive a correct diagnosis3

In patients experiencing depressive symptoms, look for the following, which could suggest bipolar depression8,9:

  • Family history of bipolar disorder
  • A younger age of onset
  • Panic and/or anxiety
  • Family history of suicide
  • Past poor response to antidepressants
  • History of treatment-emergent irritability, agitation, or suicidality with antidepressants
  • Psychotic features
  • Other comorbidities (e.g., substance use disorders)
  • Postpartum onset

Differentiating bipolar I and bipolar II disorder hinges on the identification of mania or hypomania1,10

The population size is similar for bipolar I and bipolar II patients1

Bipolar I

characterized by ≥1 manic episode:

  • Functional impairment
  • Hospitalization
  • Psychotic symptoms
  • Lasting ≥1 week

Bipolar I & II

characterized by depressive episodes:

  • Functional impairment
  • Hospitalization
  • Psychotic symptoms

Bipolar II

characterized by hypomania, not mania

  • No marked functional impairment
  • No hospitalizations
  • No psychotic symptoms
  • Lasting ≥4 days

Patients with bipolar II depression are more likely to experience higher frequency of depressive episodes, with greater severity and lower overall functioning than bipolar I.11

Time ill due to depressive episodes12

70% Bipolar I
VS
81% Bipolar II
Unlike some medicines that only treat bipolar I, CAPLYTA treats both bipolar I and bipolar II depression in adults13
See the Efficacy

CAPLYTA is indicated in adults for the treatment of schizophrenia and depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder (bipolar depression), as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate.

Important Safety Information

Boxed Warnings:

  • Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. CAPLYTA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
  • Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric and young adults in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The safety and effectiveness of CAPLYTA have not been established in pediatric patients.

Contraindications: CAPLYTA is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lumateperone or any components of CAPLYTA. Reactions have included pruritus, rash (e.g., allergic dermatitis, papular rash, and generalized rash), and urticaria.

Warnings & Precautions: Antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause:

  • Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis, including stroke and transient ischemic attack. See Boxed Warning above.
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which is a potentially fatal reaction. Signs and symptoms include hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, delirium, autonomic instability, elevated creatinine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (and/or rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Manage with immediate discontinuation of CAPLYTA and provide intensive symptomatic treatment and monitoring.
  • Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), a syndrome of potentially irreversible, dyskinetic, and involuntary movements which may increase as the duration of treatment and total cumulative dose increases. The syndrome can develop after a relatively brief treatment period, even at low doses, or after treatment discontinuation. Given these considerations, CAPLYTA should be prescribed in a manner most likely to reduce the risk of TD. Discontinue CAPLYTA if clinically appropriate.
  • Metabolic Changes, including hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and weight gain. Hyperglycemia, in some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma or death, has been reported in patients treated with antipsychotics. Measure weight and assess fasting plasma glucose and lipids when initiating CAPLYTA and monitor periodically during long-term treatment.
  • Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis (including fatal cases). Perform complete blood counts in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) or history of leukopenia or neutropenia. Discontinue CAPLYTA if clinically significant decline in WBC occurs in absence of other causative factors.
  • Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure and warn patients with known cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. Orthostatic vital signs should be monitored in patients who are vulnerable to hypotension.
  • Falls. CAPLYTA may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, and motor and/or sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures and other injuries. Assess patients for risk when using CAPLYTA.
  • Seizures. Use CAPLYTA cautiously in patients with a history of seizures or with conditions that lower seizure threshold.
  • Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment. Advise patients to use caution when operating machinery or motor vehicles until they know how CAPLYTA affects them.
  • Body Temperature Dysregulation. Use CAPLYTA with caution in patients who may experience conditions that may increase core body temperature such as strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant anticholinergics.
  • Dysphagia. Use CAPLYTA with caution in patients at risk for aspiration.

Drug Interactions: Avoid concomitant use with CYP3A4 inducers. Reduce dose for concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (10.5 mg) or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (21 mg).

Special Populations: Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. Reduce dose for patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (21 mg).

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials with CAPLYTA vs placebo were:

  • Schizophrenia: somnolence/sedation (24% vs 10%) and dry mouth (6% vs 2%).
  • Bipolar Depression (Monotherapy, Adjunctive therapy): somnolence/sedation (13% vs 3%, 13% vs 3%), dizziness (8% vs 4%, 11% vs 2%), nausea (8% vs 3%, 9% vs 4%), and dry mouth (5% vs 1%, 5% vs 1%).

CAPLYTA is available in 10.5 mg, 21 mg, and 42 mg capsules.

Indications

CAPLYTA is indicated in adults for the treatment of schizophrenia and depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder (bipolar depression), as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.

References: 1. Merikangas KR, Akiskal HS, Angst J, et al. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(5):543-552. Accessed May 1, 2024. 2. Miller S, Dell'Osso B, Ketter TA. The prevalence and burden of bipolar depression. J Affect Disord. 2014;169(S1):S3-S11. Accessed May 1, 2024. 3. Frye MA, Calabrese JR, Reed ML, et al. Use of health care services among persons who screen positive for bipolar disorder. Psychiatr Serv. 2005;56(12):1529-1533. Accessed May 1, 2024. 4. National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder. 5. United States Census Bureau. State population by characteristics: 2010-2020. October 8, 2021. Accessed May 1, 2024. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/technical-documentation/research/evaluation-estimates/2020-evaluation-estimates/2010s-state-detail.html. 6. Baldessarini RJ, Vázquez GH, Tondo L. Bipolar depression: a major unsolved challenge. Int J Bipolar Disord. 2020;8(1):1. Accessed May 1, 2024. 7. Kupka RW, Altshuler LL, Nolen WA, et al. Three times more days depressed than manic or hypomanic in both bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar Disord. 2007;9:531-535. Accessed May 1, 2024. 8. Osser DN. Bipolar depression: how not to miss the diagnosis. Psychiatr Times. 2021;38(10). Accessed May 1, 2024. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/bipolar-depression-how-not-to-miss-the-diagnosis. 9. Bauer M, Pfennig A. Epidemiology of bipolar disorders. Epilepsia. 2005;46(suppl 4):8-13. Accessed May 1, 2024. 10. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed Text Revision. American Psychiatric Association; 2022. 11. Karanti A, Kardell M, Joas E, et al. Characteristics of bipolar I and II disorder: a study of 8766 individuals. Bipolar Disord. 2020;22(4):392-400. Accessed May 1, 2024. 12. Forte A, Baldessarini RJ, Tondo L, et al. Long-term morbidity in bipolar-I, bipolar-II, and unipolar major depressive disorders. J Affect Disord. 2015;178:71-78. Accessed May 1, 2024. 13. CAPLYTA prescribing information.

Boxed Warnings:

  • Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. CAPLYTA is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.