Blog Stuck On You

The onslaught of diseases and the need for medical attention are prime topics of national discussion - especially with an aging population. Increasingly people report ailments for which over-the-counter remedies aren’t able to help.

Among those conditions that cause such problems is bipolar disorder. So what are the most common medical treatments to address this need, and are there negative impacts to consider? Read on for further insights.

Lithium Salt

Lithium is the most common and highest prescribed of the bipolar medications used to treat bipolar disorder. It continues to be the gold standard and is seen as the most effective drug in bipolar treatment. Lithium treats mania along with depression, therefore reducing the cycling between both. It has also been proven to reduce the risk of suicide among people suffering from bipolar disorder.

Lithium is a natural mineral salt, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with potentially dangerous side effects. These potential problems include digestion issues, weight gain, urinary control limits, potential kidney damage, slowed thinking, chronic tiredness and sometimes 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

Depakote is an anti-seizure medicine that’s designed to regulate neuron firing in the brain and prevent seizures. Depakote is the brand name, but the drug is available in generic form. It’s known as divalproex sodium and is helpful in treating mania. However it can cause pancreas and liver problems, weight gain, nausea, fatigue, infertility in females and hair loss. This drug is also not an effective antidepressant.

Lamictal Antidepressant

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

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 for Weight Control

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.

Tags: Health, Exercise, Fitness