Question: In adults with bipolar disorder, how effective is lithium, compared to quetiapine, in managing symptoms of bipolar and improving patient outcomes?

Answer:

Evidence from one systematic review and network meta-analysis and from one additional, large randomised controlled trial (RCT) indicates no significant difference in effectiveness of
quetiapine compared to lithium, for the treatment of mania in people with bipolar disorder. Data from two large RCTs indicate that quetiapine may be more effective than lithium in managing depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder; this apparent differential treatment effect may warrant further investigation.