My Support Forums - View Single Post - Master list of mood stabilizers + Information

Sep 05, 2019 at 08:06 AM

Here is a "master list" of mood stabilizers approved for the use of treating bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymia

Note that there are two "types" of mood stabilizers: traditional (anticonvulsants) and non-traditional (*some* antipsychotics). One example of a "mood stabilizing" antipsychotic is Latuda, which is marketed as "monotherapy," meaning it is FDA approved to be used alone for stabilizing mood. (i.e., Research has demonstrated that Latuda has been successfully used for monotherapy.) However, note that some countries may not approve of such antipsychotics being used for monotherapy, but the following medications are approved in the U.S. as such by the FDA.

Another important note to make: some people find their mood can be stabilized on an antipsychotic that I have not listed below. But to reiterate -- the following medications have been approved by the FDA:

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Anticonvulsants:
1. Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Camcolit, Liskonum, Priadel, Lithonate, Litarex, Li-liquid) [See source #1]
2. Carbamazepine (Tegretol XR, Equetro, Epitol) [See source #1]
3. Valproate (Valproic acid, Depakote, Epilim) [See source #1]
4. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) [See source #1]

**Note that going "cold turkey" off an anticonvulsant (i.e., suddenly stopping an anticonvulsant) can result in seizures, even if you have never had a history of seizures before. Thus, it is highly recommended that you do not suddenly stop a mood stabilizer and instead talk with your doctor/psychiatrist about how to safely taper off. [See source #2]

Antipsychotics:
1. Lurasidone (Latuda) [See source #3]
2. Quetiapine (Seroquel) [See source #4]
3. Quetiapine XR (Seroquel XR) [See source #4]
4. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) [See source #4]
5. Risperidone (Risperdal) [See source #4]

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Additional Information (Known Side Effects, Side Effect Monitoring, etc.):

Lithium
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: Lithium: Drug Uses, Dosage and Side Effects - Drugs.com

Side effect monitoring:

Quote:

The American Psychiatric Association recommends testing kidney function every two to three months for the first six months of lithium treatment, and then following up with kidney function tests at least annually or semiannually afterward, unless more frequent testing is indicated medically. This can be done with simple blood tests taken at the same time as checking the lithium level.

Source: Lithium-induced kidney problems - Harvard Health

Carbamazepine
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: Carbamazepine Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com

You should undergo blood tests to ensure you do not have Carbamazepine toxicity. More information here: Carbamazepine Toxicity - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

Valproate
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: Valproic acid Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term - Drugs.com

Lamotrigine
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/lamotrigine.html

Side effect monitoring:
**Be wary that Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a very rare but fatal rash that may occur when taking Lamotrigine. For more information on SJS: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/healt...hnson-syndrome

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any kind of a rash. However, not all rashes are fatal.

Lurasidone
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: https://www.sunovionprofile.com/sp/l...formation.html

Quetiapine / Quetiapine XR
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/quetiapine-side-effects.html

Note that Quetiapine is instant release, while Quetiapine XR is extended release.

Olanzapine
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: https://www.drugs.com/mtm/olanzapine.html

Risperidone
List of side effects, how to take the medication, etc.: https://www.drugs.com/risperidone.html

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Sources