Mood stabilization effects -
When the right dose has been determined and your levels are steady, it's still important to get blood tests every two to three months, since many things can cause your lithium levels to change. Even taking a different brand of lithium can lead to different blood levels.
Keep a steady salt intake. Do not suddenly reduce the amount of salt in your diet. Drink plenty of fluids 8 to 10 glasses of water every day , more in hot weather or if you exercise heavily. Keep your caffeine intake steady.
Reducing caffeine can cause your lithium level to increase, while adding more caffeine can cause your lithium level to decrease. Always tell any doctor or pharmacist that you are on lithium before taking any new medicines.
Originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy, anticonvulsants have been shown to relieve the symptoms of mania and reduce mood swings. Valproic acid, also known as divalproex or valproate, is a highly effective mood stabilizer. Common brand names include Depakote and Depakene.
Valproic acid is often the first choice for rapid cycling, mixed mania, or mania with hallucinations or delusions. It is a good bipolar medication option if you can't tolerate the side effects of lithium. Although antidepressants have traditionally been used to treat episodes of bipolar depression, their use is becoming more and more controversial.
A growing body of research calls their safety and efficacy into question. Antidepressants don't work very well for bipolar depression. Mounting evidence suggests that antidepressants aren't effective in the treatment of bipolar depression.
A major study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that adding an antidepressant to a mood stabilizer was no more effective in treating bipolar depression than using a mood stabilizer alone. Another NIMH study found that antidepressants work no better than placebo. Antidepressants can trigger mania in people with bipolar disorder.
If antidepressants are used at all, they should be combined with a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproic acid. Taking an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer is likely to trigger a manic episode.
Antidepressants can increase mood cycling. Many experts believe that over time, antidepressant use in people with bipolar disorder has a mood destabilizing effect, increasing the frequency of manic and depressive episodes. The new focus in bipolar depression treatment is on optimizing the dose of mood stabilizers.
If you can stop your mood cycling, you might stop having depressive episodes entirely. If you are able to stop the mood cycling, but symptoms of depression remain, the following medications may help:. First, and most importantly, don't panic! DO NOT stop taking your antidepressant suddenly, as this can be dangerous.
Talk to your doctor about slowly tapering off the antidepressant. The tapering process should be done very slowly, usually over the course of several months, in order to reduce adverse withdrawal effects.
If you lose touch with reality during a manic or depressive episode, an antipsychotic drug may be prescribed.
They have also been found to help with regular manic episodes. Antipsychotic medications may be helpful if you have tried mood stabilizers without success. Often, antipsychotic medications are combined with a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproic acid.
Sexual and erectile dysfunction is a common side effect of antipsychotic medications, one that often deters bipolar disorder patients from continuing medication. However, a study in Vellore, India concluded that the medication sildenafil Viagra is safe and effective in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced erectile dysfunction in men.
Another option is generic Cialis tadalafil , which is just as safe and effective. Other medications your doctor may recommend include benzodiazepines, calcium channel blockers, and thyroid medications. Mood stabilizers can take up to several weeks to reach their full effect. While you're waiting for the medication to kick in, your doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine to relieve any symptoms of anxiety, agitation, or insomnia.
Benzodiazepines are fast-acting sedatives that work within 30 minutes to an hour. Because of their high addictive potential, however, benzodiazepines should only be used until your mood stabilizer or antidepressant begins to work.
Those with a history of substance abuse should be particularly cautious. Traditionally used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure, they also have a mood stabilizing effect. They have fewer side effects than traditional mood stabilizers, but they are also less effective.
However, they may be an option for people who can't tolerate lithium or anticonvulsants. People with bipolar disorder often have abnormal levels of thyroid hormone, especially rapid cyclers.
Lithium treatment can also cause low thyroid levels. In these cases, thyroid medication may be added to the drug treatment regimen. While research is still ongoing, thyroid medication also shows promise as a treatment for bipolar depression with minimal side effects.
Bipolar medication is most effective when used in combination with other bipolar disorder treatments , including:. People who take medication for bipolar disorder tend to recover much faster and control their moods much better if they also get therapy.
Getting regular exercise can reduce bipolar disorder symptoms and help stabilize mood swings. Exercise is also a safe and effective way to release the pent-up energy associated with the manic episodes of bipolar disorder.
Stable sleep schedule. Studies have found that insufficient sleep can precipitate manic episodes in bipolar patients. To keep symptoms and mood episodes to a minimum maintain a stable sleep schedule.
It is also important to regulate darkness and light exposure as these throw off sleep-wake cycles and upset the sensitive biological clock in people with bipolar disorder. Healthy diet. Omega-3 fatty acids may lessen the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Weight gain is a common side effect of many bipolar medications, so it's important to adopt healthy eating habits to manage your weight.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and drugs as they can adversely interact with bipolar medications. Social support network. Living with bipolar disorder can be challenging, and having a solid support system in place can make all the difference in your outlook and motivation.
Participating in a bipolar disorder support group can give you the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others.
Support from loved ones also makes a huge difference, so reach out to your family and friends. They care about you and want to help. Reviewed by Damon Ramsey, M.
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The role of medication in bipolar disorder treatment. Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Medication Guide Want to know the best medications to treat bipolar disorder? Copy Link Link copied! Download PDF. By Melinda Smith, M. The role of medication in bipolar disorder treatment Tips for getting the most out of medication for bipolar disorder Finding the right bipolar disorder medication Taking bipolar disorder medication responsibly Lithium: The first mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder Anticonvulsant mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder Antidepressant medications for bipolar disorder Antipsychotic medications for bipolar disorder Other medications for bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder medication alone is not enough.
The role of medication in bipolar disorder treatment If you have bipolar disorder , medication will likely be a part of your treatment plan. Tips for getting the most out of medication for bipolar disorder Avoid antidepressants.
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Top of the page. About This Medicine Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. What are some examples? carbamazepine Tegretol divalproex Epival lamotrigine Lamictal lithium Lithane This is not a complete list. Why are mood stabilizers used? Mood stabilizers can help to: Treat episodes of mania and prevent the return of both manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.
Stabilize episodes of changing mood linked with schizophrenia, such as depression. Reduce feelings and behaviours such as anger, anxiety, depression, impulsivity acting quickly on thoughts and feelings , or self-harm linked with borderline personality disorder. How do they work? What about side effects?
General information about side effects All medicines can cause side effects. What are some cautions about mood stabilizers? Cautions for mood stabilizers include the following: Your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to check your medicine levels, liver function, and blood counts.
Do not stop taking these medicines suddenly. You should taper off of these drugs slowly with the help of your doctor or pharmacist. This will help you avoid serious side effects. While these medicines have been well studied for use in adults, there are no long-term studies that show how well they work and how safe they are for children and teens.
General cautions for all medicines Allergic reactions. All medicines can cause a reaction. This can sometimes be an emergency.
Before you take any new medicine, tell the doctor or pharmacist about any past allergic reactions you've had. Drug interactions. Sometimes one medicine may keep another medicine from working well. Or you may get a side effect you didn't expect. Medicines may also interact with certain foods or drinks, like grapefruit juice and alcohol.
Some interactions can be dangerous. Harm during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist if all the medicines you take are safe.
Other health problems. Before taking a medicine, be sure your doctor or pharmacist knows about all your health problems. The medicine for one health problem may affect another health problem. Related Information Medicine Blood Level Test. Adapted By: Alberta Health Services Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services.
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