Mood stabilizers are a type of psychiatric drug that are used to help treat bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, depression, and other conditions that cause extreme mood swings. Dosage and frequency depend on the condition being treated and severity of symptoms
Mood stabilizers require a doctor’s prescription. Because they can cause side effects or interact with other medications, these drugs should only be taken under medical supervision.
4 mood stabilizers: uses and side effects
1. Lithium
Lithium is a very effective medication to treat bipolar disorder, especially hypomania or mania. It reduces residual symptoms, prevents manic or depressive relapses, reduces the frequency of cycling into the next manic or depressive episode, and improves mental functioning.
Side effects may include:
- Impairment of thinking or reaction
- Increased urination
- Breathing problems
- Loss of interest in routine activities
2. Lamotrigine
Lamotrigine is prescribed to treat bipolar disorder in the depressive phase. It is also an antiepileptic medication used in the treatment of epilepsy. Dosage is based on the medical condition, response to treatment, and use of other drugs. The medication should not be discontinued without consulting a doctor.
Side effects may include:
- Skin rash
- Blistering or peeling of skin
- Painful sores in the mouth or around the eyes
3. Sodium valproate
Sodium valproate is an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic medication used to treat various seizure disorders and can also be used as a mood stabilizer. It is used to treat bipolar disorder in the manic phase.
Side effects may include:
- Liver damage
- Inflammation of the pancreas
The drug should not be used in pregnant women and children younger than 10 years of age.
4. Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug that is used to relieve certain types of nerve pain (neuralgia). This type of medication can be used to treat bipolar disorder and people with suicidal thoughts or other mood disorders.
Side effects may include:
- White blood cell reduction in the liver
- Skin reaction
- Changes in skin pigment
- Other unusual behaviors or mood swings
- Fainting
What are the symptoms of mania?
Symptoms of mania may include:
- Feeling extremely happy or excited, despite the situation
- Irritability
- Feelings of grandiosity
- Talking very fast
- Being easily distracted
- Difficulty focusing
- Making hasty decisions without thinking
- Having a lot of new and exciting ideas but switching from one idea to another without committing to one
- Insomnia
- Risky behavior such as spending excessively, taking recreational drugs or drinking too much alcohol, gambling, etc.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Symptoms of depression may include:
- Decreased energy
- Feeling fatigued
- Feeling negative, hopeless, or worthless
- Loss of interest in things you were once interested in
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleeping excessively or insomnia
- Unintentional loss of appetite or increased appetite
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
SLIDESHOW
What Is Bipolar Disorder? Symptoms, Manic Episodes, Testing See SlideshowReferences
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556141/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mood-stabilizer
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286342-medication
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mood-stabilizer
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286342-medication
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