Bipolar Disorder and Medication

If you have bipolar disorder, medication will be prescribed. Medication can bring mania and depression under control and prevent relapse once your mood has stabilized. Medication used long term may not be pleasing as an easy way of life, especially if you’re struggling with unpleasant side effects. But just as a diabetic needs to take insulin in order to stay healthy, taking medication for bipolar disorder will help you maintain a stable mood.

If you have bipolar disorder, taking medication to reduce the frequency and severity of mood episodes is the goal of treatment.

If side effects are severe, your doctor may switch the drug or change the dose. You should always check for drug interactions before taking another prescription medication, over-the-counter drug, or herbal supplement. Drug interactions can cause unexpected side effects or make your medication less effective or even dangerous. Mixing certain foods and beverages with your medication can also cause problems. Learn about potential interactions by discussing them with your doctor or talking to your pharmacist.

Medication works best when making healthy choices. A pill can not work properly with abuse of a healthy way of living. Reduce or discontinue alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and makes recovery even more difficult. It can also interfere with the way your medication works.

Lithium: Mood stabilizers are medications that help control the highs and lows of bipolar disorder. They are the cornerstone of treatment, both for mania and depression. Lithium is the oldest and most well-known mood stabilizer. It is highly effective for treating mania.

Lithium can also help bipolar depression. But, it is not as effective for mixed episodes or rapid cycling forms of bipolar disorder. Lithium takes from one to two weeks to reach its full effect.

 The side effects that is common on lithium. Some may go away as your body adapts to the medication. Weight gain ; drowsiness ; tremor; weakness or fatigue ; excessive thirst; increased urination; stomach pain; thyroid problems; memory and concentration problems; nausea, vertigo; diarrhea

Anticonvulsants are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder as mood stabilizers. Originally developed for the treatment of epilepsy, they have been shown to relieve the symptoms of mania and reduce mood swings.

Valproic acid is a highly-effective mood stabilizer. Common brand names include Depakote . Valproic acid is often the first choice for rapid cycling, mixed mania, mania with hallucinations or delusions. It is a good bipolar medication option if you can’t tolerate the side effects of lithium.

Common side effects include: drowsiness; weight gain; dizziness; tremor; diarrhea.

Other anticonvulsants that can be used as mood stabilizers include:  Tegretol; Lamicta; andl Topamax

Be wary of natural mood stabilizers they may cause paradoxical reactions.  But used with caution can help to stabilize your mood until the medication becomes more effective. There are many things you can do to stabilize your mood. The way you live your life is just as important, than the medication you take. Making healthy choices for yourself can make a huge difference in how you feel.

Although antidepressants have been the drug of choice for episodes of bipolar depression, their use is becoming more and more questionable. Antidepressants should be used with caution. 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. Over time, antidepressant use in people with bipolar disorder can induce mania, and can increase the frequency of manic and depressive episodes.

 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, medications may help

If you lose touch with reality during a manic or depressive episode, an antipsychotic drug may be prescribed. They have also help with regular manic episodes. Antipsychotic medications may be helpful combined with a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproic acid.

Common side effects of antipsychotic medications for bipolar disorder Drowsiness Weight gain Dry mouth which can lead to tooth decay Constipation Blurred vision

Other medications for bipolar disorder are Benzodiazepine. Mood stabilizers can take up to several weeks to reach the effective dosage.  Other med, benzodiazepines should only be used until your mood stabilizer or antidepressant begins to work. Those with a history of substance abuse should be especially cautious medications which are used for bipolar disorder are Benzodiazepine to relieve symptoms of anxiety, agitation, or insomnia. Benzodiazepines are fast-acting sedatives. Because of they are highly addictive.