Lamictal is a good alternative, I loved Lithium for "calming" the inner rage (that had been provoked from a family member, long story) but in time after I chilled out, the AD's(Celexa) konkedd out so the pdoc suggested Lamictal, another mood stabilizer but with great anti-depressant qualities, and non-drowsy too
Yeah, Depakote made me fat and fatigued, hair thinned, after falling asleep at the wheel twice, my present pdoc said I should switch, I asked for Lithium, my brother has been on it for over 33 years, he is Bipolar-I, he has done great, my pdoc put me on Lithobid, it was great, less weight gain than the Depakote and no fatigue, at the same time he still continued with Celaxa for the depression, but after being on different ones of that kind, it konked out.
So he had me switch to Lamictal (Lamotrogine) which you must titrate slowly, and the fatal rash they speak of that some can get as a reaction, occurs in asuch a minute amount of people, and it is rare, so do not be afraid of that, you make get slight skin reaction, it goes away, but a HUGE population do not suffer from any side effects, the best one is I finally felt good, and have continued to, and the big AND is that while on this med I have endured some major life occurences and I haven't had any episodes of hypomania or depression, the slight depression I have is due to family issues, there is no med that can change things like that.
Hate to sound like a med sales person, but for Bipolar-II's that tend to have more depressive swings, this med is terrific!!
And no monthly blood tests either
Ask your pdoc about it, there is loads of info about it in pdoc journals, the internet and by the manufacturer, not to mention in all the books about Bipolar Illness.
So far it is the best med that I have ever taken for this stuff.
I wish youluck with this, take care now.

DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON