Often, a Bipolar will give up on medications all together for whatever reason and discontinue their medication all together. This is not good. First, once you've been on any of these medications, you can't just stop taking them cold turkey. There are withdrawals. Also, usually the problems of Bipolar get worse and are harder to treat in the long run. I have tried this so I know…. Most importantly, it can also be DEADLY to stop taking these medications cold turkey without the supervision of your doctor.
Medications affect people differently. The side affects or the effectiveness of a medication may not be experienced by another person. So just because someone had a good or bad experience with a medication doesn't mean that another person would also.
There are basically 4 types of medications that are used to treat Bipolar Disorder and its related problems. Sometimes medications are prescribed simply to counteract a side affect of another…uhhhg. The 4 types are as follows:
Mood Stabilizers - This is the primary medication given….. the "meat" of it if you would. They are often the same medications that are used to treat seizures and migraine headaches. They are to prevent the mood swings of depression and mania. These are among the hardest to deal with because they have so many side affects. Sometimes the affects go away in time… sometimes they don't. And some of them tend to cause weight gain. It is not uncommon for a person to take more than one mood stabilizer at the same time.
Antidepressants - These are used to treat Bipolars who have a problems with depression (most all do). Not all Bipolars can take Antidepressants because they can trigger manic episodes.
Antianxiety - Many people with Bipolar Disorder have trouble with anxiety and mild sedatives are used to treat it.
Antipsychotics - This is used to treat the psychotic issues of Bipolar. Hallucinations, rapid thoughts, loud thoughts (yes, loud thoughts), sleeping problems, impulsiveness, and much more.
The following are common medications that are used to treat Bipolar Disorder and related issues. There is additional information available regarding dosages and side affects at any of the Rx web sites.
Depakote (Valproic acid, Divalproex) - Mood Stabilizer
Primarily treats the mania of Bipolar Disorder
Cautions:
Depakote can cause serious or even fatal liver damage, especially during the first 6 months of treatment. Depakote has also been known to cause life-threatening damage to the pancreas. My psychiatrist also prescribed Folic Acid to protect against this.
Many people take Depakote with no problems. I experienced a rapid extreme weight gain, severe abdominal pain, and I was severely lethargic. I've heard of people having problems with hair loss with this medication. Over the counter Zinc and Selenium can help reduce this affect.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Abdominal or stomach cramps (mild); change in menstrual periods; diarrhea; hair loss; indigestion; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; trembling of hands and arms; unusual weight loss or gain
Supposively treats depression and mania of Bipolar Disorder.
It is not known how lithium works to stabilize a person's mood. However, it does act on the central nervous system.
I am personally a fan of Lithium. I have side affects like shakiness, nervousness, thirst and hair loss. But my antipsychotic and antianxiety medications counteracted the shakiness and nervousness. And I a Zinc and Selenium supplement has minimized my hair loss. Also, I have a bit to eat before taking it to avoid the nausea. I have my blood tested occasionally. I started at a lowered dosage, but I am currently taking 900mg (300mg 3x a day). It has been said that 900mg is the lowest therapeutic dosage.
From what I have read and studied, Lithium does well at treating mania and not so well at treating the depression.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Increased frequency of urination or loss of bladder control--more common in women than in men, usually beginning 2 to 7 years after start of treatment; increased thirst; nausea (mild); trembling of hands (slight).
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) - Mood Stabilizer/Antidepressant
Cautions:
Skin rash may be a sign of a serious unwanted effect.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Side AffectsDizziness (more common in women); drowsiness; headache; nausea; vomiting
Tegretol (Carbamazepine) - Mood Stabilizer
Treats mania and psychotic issues of Bipolar Disorder.
I had good results with this medication for a while and then it was as if it just stopped working. One of the side affects that I remember is skin sensitivity. I had a problem in wearing makeup because of this. Makeup would cause a rash on my face. I had blood tests performed regularly.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness (mild); drowsiness (mild); lightheadedness; nausea or vomiting (mild)
Neurotin (Gabapentin) - Mood Stabilizer
Possible Common Side Affects:
Blurred or double vision; dizziness; drowsiness; muscle ache or pain; swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs; trembling or shaking; unusual tiredness or weakness
Zyprexa (Olanzapine) - Antipsychotic
I have had good results with this medication. It turns down the noise in my head. It calms me down…. I'm less impulsive. It enables me to sleep. I started at 5mg per day at bedtime. I now take 7.5mg. Only thing is I sleep big time…. It's hard for me to wake up. I'll sleep for 15 hours at times. You have to watch what you eat on this medication because it can definitely cause weight gain.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Constipation; dizziness; dizziness or fainting when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; runny nose; vision problems; weakness; weight gain
Seroquel (Quetiapine) - Antipsychotic
Cautions:
Quetiapine may make it more difficult for your body to cool down. Overheating may result in heatstroke.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Constipation; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased weight; indigestion
Cautions:
Risperidone may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Constipation; coughing; diarrhea; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; heartburn; increased dream activity; increased length of sleep; nausea; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight gain
Haldol (Haloperidol) - Antipsychotic
Cautions:
This medicine will often make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase. Use extra care not to become overheated during exercise or hot weather while you are taking this medicine, since overheating may result in heat stroke . Also, hot baths or saunas may make you feel dizzy or faint while you are taking this medicine.
Side effects:
Blurred vision; changes in menstrual period; constipation; dryness of mouth; swelling or pain in breasts (in females); unusual secretion of milk; weight gain
Clozaril (Clozapine) - Antipsychotic
Cautions:
It is important that you have your blood tests done when they are scheduled, and that your doctor check your progress at regular visits . Clozapine can cause some very serious blood problems that you may not be able to feel or see. The pharmacy will give you this medicine only if your blood tests show that it is safe for you to take clozapine.
Side effects:
Constipation; dizziness or lightheadedness (mild); drowsiness; headache (mild); increased watering of mouth; nausea or vomiting; unusual weight gain
Geodon (Ziprasidone) - Antipsychotic
Cautions:
Avoid activities involving high temperature or humidity. This medicine may reduce your body's ability to adjust to the heat.
This is a relatively new drug. There are some concerns with your heart in taking this medication.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Lack or loss of strength; weakness; uncontrollable movements of body parts; constipation; diarrhea; acid or sour stomach; belching; heartburn; indigestion; stomach discomfort, upset or pain; difficulty speaking; drooling; loss of balance control; muscle trembling; jerking or stiffness; restlessness; shuffling walk; stiffness of limbs; twisting movements of body; nausea; rash; weight gain
Paxil (Paroxetine) - Antianxiety/Antidepressant
Possible Common Side Affects:
Constipation; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; increased sweating; nausea; problems in urinating; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting
Effexor (Venlafaxine hydrochloride) Antidepressant/Antianxiety
Cautions:
Skin rash or hives can mean a serious condition.
Side Effects:
Abnormal dreams; anxiety or nervousness; chills; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; heartburn; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; stuffy or runny nose; stomach pain or gas; tingling, burning, or prickly sensations; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; weight loss
Klonopin (Benzodiazepines - Clonazepam) - Antianxiety
Cautions:
Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.
I have had good success with this medication taking 1mg daily at bedtime.
Note that I am now taking 2mg twice a day.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; slurred speech
Ativan (Benzodiazepines - Lorazepam) - Antianxiety
Same as Klonopin above.
Xanax (Benzodiazepines)
Same as Klonopin above.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) - Antidepressant
This contains the same active ingredients of the stop smoking aid Zyban.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Abdominal pain; constipation; decrease in appetite; dizziness; dryness of mouth; increased sweating; nausea or vomiting; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping; weight loss (unusual)
Prozac (Fluoxetine) - Antidepressant
Possible Common Side Affects:
Anxiety or nervousness; decreased appetite; diarrhea; drowsiness; headache; increased sweating; nausea; tiredness or weakness; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping
Zoloft (Sertraline) - Antidepressant
Possible Common Side Affects:
Decreased appetite or weight loss; diarrhea or loose stools; dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; increased sweating; nausea; stomach or abdominal cramps, gas, or pain; tiredness or weakness; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping
Celexa (Citalopram) - Antidepressant
Possible Common Side Affects:
Drowsiness; dryness of mouth; nausea; trouble in sleeping
Desyrel (Trazodone) - Antidepressant
Possible Common Side Affects:
Dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth (usually mild); headache; nausea and vomiting; unpleasant taste
I took this medication for a brief period and I had weight loss. I have heard of people being taken off of this medication due to eye problems.
I am now again taking this medication for headaches.
Possible Common Side Affects:
Breast pain in women; nausea; tremors
Trilepetal (Oxcarbazepine)
Cautions:
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) containing estrogen or progestin, contraceptive progestin injections (e.g., Depo-Provera), and implant contraceptive forms of progestin (e.g., Norplant) may not work properly if you take them while you are taking oxcarbazepine. Unplanned pregnancies may occur. You should use a different or additional means of birth control while you are taking oxcarbazepin
Possible Common Side Affects:
Abdominal pain; burning feeling in chest or stomach; nausea and vomiting; runny or stuffy nose; sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Gabitril (Tiagabine)
Possible Common Side Affects:
Chills; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fever; headache; muscle aches or pain; nervousness; sore throat; tremor; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomitings
Zonegran (Zonisamide)
Possible Common Side Affects:
Anxiety; dizziness; loss of appetite; restlessness; sleepiness; unusual drowsiness