Medication for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder--the umbrella term for several types of mental illnesses characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy and ability to function--affects approximately 5.7 million Americans according to the National Institute of Mental Health, Great strides in the management of bipolar disorder have been made in the past few decades, and many people are able to regain control over their lives.

Mood stabilizers

• The first-line therapies for people with bipolar disorder include the use of mood stabilizers, such as lithium or Depakote (valproate).

Anticonvulsants

• Anticonvulsants--such as Tegretol (carbamazepine), Lamictal (lamotrigine), or Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)--are often used in conjunction with a mood stabilizer.

Antipsychotics

• Acute mania may be treated with an antipsychotic medication such as the Haldol (haloperidol), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Risperdal (risperidone), or Abilify (aripiprazole).

Depressants

• Occasionally, central nervous system depressants--such as Ativan (lorazepam) or Klonopin (clonazepam)--may be prescribed, although most clinicians are starting to move away from overusing these types of drugs.

Antidepressants

• Antidepressants are prescribed conservatively with bipolar disorder because of their tendency to induce mania. However, they may be atypically prescribed to patients who tend to exhibit significantly higher levels of depression than mania.

Considerations

• There is no one perfect "recipe" of medication for bipolar disorder. Each individual should work with an experienced clinician to determine the best course of action.