What are the 10 most common drugs for bipolar disorder (BPD)?
In this article we will describe the 10 most common drugs for bipolar disorder.
Antipsychotic drugs for bipolar disorder
If you are currently experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode, your doctor is likely to prescribe you an antipsychotic drug.
Your doctor is also likely to prescribe antipsychotics, if you experience psychotic symptoms in an episode of mania or severe depression. These include:
1. Haloperidol – also known as Dozic, Haldol, Haldol Decanoate, Serenace
2. Olanzapine – also known as Zalasta, Zyprexa, ZypAdhera
3. Quetiapine – also known as Atrolak, Biquelle, Ebesque, Seroquel, Tenprolide, Zaluron
4. Risperidone – also known as Risperdal, Risperdal Consta.
If your first antipsychotic medication does not work, your doctor might offer another from the list above. If the second doesn’t work, your doctor might offer you lithium to take together with an antipsychotic.
Lithium for bipolar disorder
5. Lithium – is an excellent long-term drug (a mood stabiliser) for BPD.
Your doctor might prescribe lithium as a long-term treatment for bipolar disorder. It can help to:
- Prevent mood (depressive or manic) episodes
- Reduce the risk of experiencing severe mania or recurring depression
- Reduce the risk of experiencing suicidal feelings or self-harm.
It is typically a long-term treatment, usually prescribed for at least six months – and often long-term.
For lithium to be effective, the dosage must be correct. You will need regular blood and health checks while taking lithium, to make sure the levels are right for you. It can affect kidney function too, so that has to be monitored.
Anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder
Three anticonvulsant drugs, are also used as mood stabilisers in bipolar disorder.
6. Carbamazepine – also known as Tegretol. This is sometimes prescribed to treat episodes of mania. It can be prescribed if lithium is ineffective or unsuitable for you.
7. Sodium valproate – also known as Depakote, Epilim. This can be used to treat episodes of mania and is typically a long-term treatment. It can be prescribed if lithium is ineffective or unsuitable for you.
Your doctor is unlikely to prescribe you sodium valproate if you are able to become pregnant. This is because it can lead to significant risks in pregnancy. But if you are pregnant and currently taking valproate, it’s important to continue taking it unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
8. Lamotrigine – also known as Lamictal. This is licensed to treat severe depression in bipolar disorder, but it is not recommended for treating mania.
Antidepressants for bipolar disorder
Your doctor might offer you antidepressant medication, such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), e.g.
9. Citalopram
10. Sertraline.
These antidepressants might be offered in combination with one of the medications described above.
Remember. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications together, or closely following one another. Some medications can interact badly with each other.
For example, combining lithium with SSRIs can increase the risk of side effects like serotonin syndrome.
Summary
We have described what are the 10 most common drugs for bipolar disorder. We hope it has been helpful.
