FDA approves Johnson & Johnson bipolar disorder treatment

TITUSVILLE, N.J. The Food and Drug Administration has given approval to a formulation of a Johnson & Johnson drug as a stand-alone and adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder.

J&J announced Monday that the FDA had approved its supplemental approval application for the use of the long-acting Risperdal Consta (risperidone) either alone or with lithium or valproate for treating bipolar I disorder.

“Long-acting therapies are moving to the forefront of treatment for mental illness, and the approval of risperidone long-acting treatment for bipolar disorder is exciting because it offers physicians assurance that the medication is being taken as prescribed,” University of Cincinnati associate professor of clinical psychiatry Caleb Adler stated. “Further, the bi-weekly administration schedule encourages regular contact between patients and their treatment team.”