Increasing Understanding about Established Bipolar Prescriptions

Lithium Salt

If you are living with a bipolar disorder, then it is likely you're taking lithium. It is the most prescribed drug for those living with this illness, and it's not even a drug - it's a mineral salt. Lithium is so popular because it's effective at treating both depression and mania. It's also been clinically shown to reduce the instance of suicide among individuals living with bipolar disorder.

Lithium is a natural salt. However, just because it is natural does not mean that there are no uncomfortable side effects. In fact, common side effects include stomach problems, weight gain, frequent urination, kidney damage, thyroid damage, foggy thinking, fatigue and tremors.

Lithium can also be toxic at too high of a dose, so it's important to only take your recommended dosage and to see your doctor often so you can have your blood levels monitored for lithium levels. High lithium levels can be toxic, damaging the thyroid and the kidney.

Divalproex Sodium

Divalproex sodium is the generic name for Depakote, an anti-seizure medication typically prescribed for people living with bipolar disorder. The drug is effective at treating mania and preventing manic episodes, but does little to counteract depression and therefore must be prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. Common side effects include hair loss, fertility issues for women, weight gain and high toxicity in the pancreas and liver.

Lamictal

Lamictal is a drug designed to reduce the frequency of manic and depression cycles. It also has strong antidepressant properties and, its main attraction is that it's not associated with weight gain. Possible side effects include skin reactions, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches.

Tegretol

Though Tegretol typically isn't used to treat depression, it is an effective anti-manic or anti-mania drug. It controls psychotic episodes and instances of mania, but its side effects include high toxicity levels in the liver, blurry vision and nausea. It can also interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

Trileptal Control of Mania

Trileptal is very similar to Tegretol, but believed to be safer, though not as effective. It will also interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, clumsiness and poor coordination.

Topomax

Typically, Topomax prescriptions are used along with other drugs for bipolar disease. Its main function is to prevent the increase of weight, and in fact often results in a decrease. But it can have some unintended impacts that include slower mental capacity, a sense of feeling a bit spacey, and general inattentiveness. Benefits of oral contraceptives are disrupted as well.

Zyprexa as Anti-Psychotic Medication

Zyprexa is an anti-psychotic that is typically prescribed to treat psychosis and is generally not used as part of an ongoing bipolar medications program. Its generic name is olanzapine and is considered an anti-manic drug. The most common side effect of Zyprexa is weight gain.

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