Reading through signatures in this forum, I'm amazed at the number of drugs and combinations prescribed in conjunction with bipolar disorder, see list, feel free to add what's missing. Lithium and valproic acid seem to be less popular these days, btw?

Does everyone with bipolar need a drug combination, sometimes with effects/side effects offsetting each other? Are there mild cases, where a low dose of a single drug may suffice?

<< List: -------
Lamictal/Lamitrogine: mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant
Abilify/Aripiprazole: atypical antipsychotic, "add-on" for depressive and tic disorders, and irritability
Klonopin/Clonazepam: treats seizures, panic disorder and akathisia, but may cause sleepiness, poor coordination, and agitation
Inderal/Propranolol: beta blocker, treats high blood pressure, prevents migraine headaches, may worsen asthma, may help with anxiety in bipolar?
Zoloft/Sertraline: SSRI antidepressant to help depression, OCD, panic attacks, SAD. May cause sleep trouble, sexual dysfunction, and serotonin syndrome.
Zyprexa/Olanzapine: atypical antipsychotic to treat schizophrenia and bipolar. May cause weight gain, seizures, and tardive dyskinesia.
Topomax/Topiramate: antiepilepsy/anticonvulsant. May help with weight loss and prevent migraine.
Neurontin/Gabapentin: treats partial seizures, neuropathic pain, hot flashes, restless legs syndrome. May cause drowsiness, increased risk of suicide, and aggressive behavior.
Melatonin: sleep hormone
Synthroid/Levoxyl/levothyroxine: thyroid hormone deficency treatment. May cause weight loss, anxiety, trouble sleeping, tremors, and fast heart rate.
Wellbutrin/bupropion: SSRI antidepressant and smoking cessation aid. May increase risk of epileptic seizures and suicide.
Xanax/alprazolam: short-acting benzodiazepine to help with anxiety, panic. May cause sleepiness, depression, headaches, loss of inhibition.
Ambien/zolpidem: treats sleep problems. May lead to sleepiness, headaches, memory problems, hallucinations. Risk of abuse.
Tegretol/carbamazepine: treats epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Helps with schizophrenia and bipolar, but may cause suicidal thoughts and confusion.
Seroquel/quetiapine: atypical antipsychotic treats schizophrenia, bipolar, and depression. May cause sleepiness, seizures, and tardive dyskinesia.
Ativan/lorazepam: treats anxiety, sleep issues, seizures, alc withdrawal.
Rexulti/Brexpiprazole: atypical antipsychotic. Serotonin-dopamine activity modulator, treats schizophrenia and depression.
Trazodone: SARI antidepressant, treats anxiety, but may lead to suicidality, mania, irregular heart rate, and pathologically prolonged erections.
Lyrica/pregabalin: treats epilepsy, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety. maycause poor memory, poor coordination, weight gain.
Cymbalta/duloxetine: SNRI antidepressant. May cause suicidality, mania, and liver problems.
>> --- List ends