From my knowledge they prefer depakote and others like it due to them being less toxic but it is at a sacrifice of efficacy. Lithium gets mood swings under control quickly but at a chance of far greater damage than say depakote, but the depakote will take longer to build up to work and is less harmful. That's part of the reason it's what you're pdoc feels is best for you at that moment in time. Hopefully that helps some.

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