Well its very different for everyone. Depakote is often a good one and is a first line of treatment med. Theres goods and bads of them all. I was on a lot and had probs with most, but probably because im not bipolar I, have an allergy to the dyes they use in almost all of them, am extremely sensitive to meds, and physical illnesses that cause chronic pain. Its going to be more difficult if he's taking anything else as they can mimic, and especially the withdrawals.