Common Medications for Treating Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a mental illness that causes abrupt mood swings and changes in energy levels and makes daily activities difficult. It affects just over 4% of the adult population of the United States. Those with bipolar disorder often have manic episodes that last days and sometimes weeks, which include racing thoughts and a decreased need for sleep.

Individuals with bipolar disorder are often easily distracted and may engage in reckless behaviors, such as speeding. To help reduce the likelihood of these behaviors, bipolar medication is the treatment of choice. Medication is often combined with psychotherapy or talk therapy, lifestyle changes, self-care and alternative therapies, including, but not limited to, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of meds for bipolar disorder and to see if you think one might be right for you.

What Are Mood Stabilizers?

Mood stabilizers are a class of drugs used primarily to treat bipolar disorder, depression and mood swings associated with other mental health conditions. They calm the neurotransmitters that are overstimulated or overactive and help strengthen nerve cell connections in the areas of the brain that regulate mood and behaviors. Studies have shown mood stabilizers may also lower the risk of suicidal tendencies and mortality rates in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Lithium is the most prescribed mood stabilizer. Others include valproic acid, carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Your general practitioner or psychiatrist may also prescribe antidepressants alongside mood stabilizers.

Finding the correct dosage, which usually ranges from 900 to 1200 milligrams daily, is vital when taking lithium. Your physician will adjust your dose, starting with the lowest possible amount and increasing slowly over the course of several weeks until you reach a therapeutic level in your bloodstream. This level varies from one person to another.

Side Effects of Mood Stabilizers

Approximately 70% to 90% of patients taking lithium experience at least one side effect, but the benefits of the medication usually outweigh the negative effects. These side effects include:

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

Antipsychotic medications treat psychosis-related conditions, including hallucinations, disordered thinking and delusions. Atypical antipsychotic medications work the same but are less likely to produce drug-induced side effects, such as tremors, restlessness, uncontrolled muscle contractions, blank facial expressions and involuntary facial movements.

Common Side Effects of Atypical Antipsychotics

Some of the most common side effects of atypical antipsychotics include:

Common Atypical Antipsychotics for Bipolar Disorder

Common atypical antipsychotic medications for bipolar disorder include aripiprazole, lurasidone, asenapine and ziprasidone. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which helps to reduce specific behaviors such as paranoia, difficulty concentrating and social withdrawal.

While mood stabilizers are lifelong treatments for bipolar disorder, antipsychotics are used during manic or depressive episodes or as mood stabilizers when treatment begins and before mood stabilizers have a chance to become effective. They’re used in addition to therapy, self-care and lifestyle changes.

Antidepressants For Bipolar Disorder

Antidepressants treat symptoms of clinical depression and can prevent depressive episodes from recurring. They work best when used with talk therapy, family support and self-care. While they may be ideal for some, antidepressants don’t work for everyone, and it can take several weeks of use before they’re fully effective.

Common antidepressants for patients with bipolar disorder include citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine and sertraline.

Side Effects of SSRIs

SSRIs typically produce fewer side effects than other antidepressants. These side effects include:

Risks of SSRIs in Bipolar Disorder Treatment

When used as a medication for bipolar disorder, SSRIs can cause manic episodes, so physicians should monitor progress and look for signs of excessive energy, insomnia and increased moods. Approximately 80% of individuals with bipolar disorder have been prescribed SSRIs during their treatment, and about 50% are prescribed mood stabilizers. Sometimes, the two types of medications are prescribed together.

However, prescribing both medications can be counterintuitive because antidepressants can counteract the benefits of mood stabilizers. The evidence in clinical trials has shown antidepressants to be ineffective in treating patients with bipolar disorder.

Individualized Treatment Plans and Bipolar Medication Selection

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness that results in a series of ups and downs between mania and depression, which can be devastating and make it hard to live a stable life when left untreated. Individualized treatment plans are key in managing symptoms and living life to the fullest. Your physician will reach a diagnosis and explain the available treatment options, including the types of bipolar medications used. Educate yourself about the disorder to know what to expect and how to deal with setbacks in your treatment.

Psychotherapy is an excellent tool for addressing the problems in your life caused by bipolar disorder. Through therapy, you’ll learn to regulate your moods, manage stress, maintain relationships and handle extreme feelings.

Self-care and family support are also essential when managing bipolar disorder. This includes avoiding alcohol and drugs, following a healthy diet plan, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. Reach out to family and friends for support, and consider joining a support group to share experiences and gain insight into how others successfully manage their mental health.

Understanding the Outlook of Bipolar Disorder

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it’s important to seek treatment from a licensed professional. Connecting with a physician who understands what you’re going through and can prescribe medications for bipolar disorder to address your symptoms can be crucial to improving your overall quality of life.

At FHE Health, we offer on-site psychiatric care and mental health rehabilitation for those struggling with bipolar disorder and mental health issues. If you’re considering treatment and bipolar medication but don’t know where to start, contact us to speak to one of our counselors. We’re available 24/7 to answer questions and to get you the assistance you need.