Safest Bipolar Medications

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health condition that can have many negative consequences if left untreated. The benefits of using medications for treatment outweigh the risks of not treating bipolar illness. Supportive psychotherapy is helpful for patients to learn coping skills to manage mood swings. However, pharmacological intervention with medications is the most effective way to stabilize mood episodes and prevent severe depression or mania.

Seeking Treatment

• Checking with your insurance plan or getting a referral to a psychiatrist from a primary care physician is helpful when seeking treatment for bipolar disorder. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can include severe disruptions in sleep patterns, high risk behavior (such as increased spending or indiscriminate sexual behavior), inflated self-esteem, irritability and/or suicidal thoughts or gestures. These issues can become extreme and need swift intervention to ensure the safety of the patient. Outpatient care can include monthly monitoring of medications. Inpatient care is necessary when a person is at risk of harming themselves or others and is available depending on need.

Anticonvulsant Medication

• Taking an anticonvulsant for bipolar mood disorder is typically a first line of treatment that physicians recommend for patients. Anticonvulsants such as Depakote, Lamictal or Tegretol are safe medications that control seizures in addition to stabilizing the extreme mood swings that are typical of bipolar disorder. These medications are taken daily and build up in the system until fully effective in controlling symptoms. Depakote requires blood draws to ensure that the medication is at a therapeutic level in the bloodstream and to monitor liver function.

Other Mood Stabilizers

• Taking a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder is another option if anticonvulsant medication is not effective. Lithium is a mood stabilizer that is very effective in controlling episodes of depression and mania. However, this medication is older and side effects can be uncomfortable and may present some health risks. For example, dehydration may be a problem with lithium and close monitoring of fluid intake is important; especially during exercise. These medications work similarly to the anticonvulsants in that they build up in the system for up to a month in order for full effectiveness to be achieved. Lithium will also require periodic blood work.

Antipsychotic Medication

• Adding an antipsychotic to a mood stabilizer or anticonvulsant medication is an effective way to manage symptoms quickly while waiting for the longer acting drugs to become effective. Antipsychotic medication such as Risperdal, Abilify, Geodon or Seroquel work quickly to calm extreme agitation or psychotic symptoms such as auditory or visual hallucinations that can be part of bipolar disorder. These medications are considered safe to use in adults and children when needed.

Precautions

• Using antidepressants for bipolar disorder can cause shifts from depressive episodes to manic episodes, which puts a patient at risk for dangerous behavior. At times, patients present with symptoms of major depression and are prescribed antidepressants. In a small percentage of patients, the antidepressants will initiate a manic episode which often changes the diagnosis and treatment plan to one consistent with that of bipolar disorder. Typically, anticonvulsants, lithium or antipsychotics are then prescribed.