Which pill works best for bipolar depression? huge study aims to find out

NCT ID NCT06433635

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This large study compares four FDA-approved medications for bipolar depression to see which one helps people feel better. Over 2,700 adults with bipolar I or II disorder and current depression will be randomly assigned to one of the drugs. The goal is to find which treatment leads to remission, meaning fewer depressive symptoms and improved well-being.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Cariprazine, Quetiapine, Lurasidone, Aripiprazole/Escitalopram

What this could lead to

If successful, this trial could identify which medication is most effective for treating bipolar depression, helping doctors choose better treatments.

What could go wrong

This is a pragmatic trial comparing existing drugs, so no new breakthrough is expected. Results may not apply to all patients, and side effects like nausea or sedation are possible.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bipolar I disorder bipolar II disorder Depression depressive disorder major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Case Western Reserve University

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44106-1712, United States

  • John Hopkins

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

  • McLean Hospital

    Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478, United States

  • Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine

    New York, New York, 10461, United States

  • Nagy Youssef

    Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49548, United States

  • New York University Grossman School of Medicine NYU

    New York, New York, 10016, United States

  • Steve Strakowski

    Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, United States

  • UT Health Houston Texas

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

  • UT Southwestern Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas, 75390-7208, United States

  • University of Alabama Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States

  • University of British Columbia

    Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada

  • University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

  • University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque

    Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131-0001, United States

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

  • University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

  • University of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15260, United States

  • University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, Texas, 78712, United States