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What Drugs Are Used for Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is treatable with the use of medications and therapy. Because of the mood swings that are part of bipolar disorder, medications used to treat the disorder can be changed or added during treatment.

  1. Mood Stabilizers

    • Lithium is one of the most common mood stabilizers used to help control bipolar disorder. Anticonvulsant medications, such as valproate or carbamazepine, also have mood-stabilizing effects.

    Newer Anticonvulsants

    • Lamotrigine, gabapentin and topiramate are now being used as mood stabilizers for patients with bipolar disorder. Sometimes these are used in combination with Lithium.

    Antipsychotic Medication

    • Clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine and ziprasidone are used in patients who don't respond well to lithium. Sometimes these medications are prescribed to help with severe mania.

    Insomnia Medication

    • Insomnia is a problem with some bipolar patients. Clonazepam or lorazepam is prescribed for short-term use as these medications can be habit-forming.

    Antidepressants

    • Occasionally, antidepressants are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, but when used alone they can cause manic episodes. Mood stabilizers should be used along with an antidepressant to help prevent manic episodes.

    Thyroid medication

    • Often people who have bipolar disorder have abnormal thyroid functioning. Blood tests can determine whether thyroid medications are needed in addition to medications for mood stabilization.

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