Risperidone is the first atypical antipsychotic registered as adjuvant treatment in bipolar disorder. The theoretical and practical reasons for this indication are summarized. Individual studies with bipolar disorders demonstrating the justification for this indication are presented. Czech experience is also included. Open, mostly short-term studies with risperidone in bipolar disorders, long-term open study and double-blind studies where risperidone was administered in indications mentioned as monotherapy and in combination with mood stabilizers are reviewed in detail.

        Key words: risperidone, bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers, manic symptomatology.