Gaining Comprehension about Popular Bipolar Medicine

Sep 18
07:14

2008

Trevor Price

Trevor Price

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There are a number of standard medications used to combat bipolar disease. Take a look for more details.

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Lithium

If you are living with a bipolar disorder,Gaining Comprehension about Popular Bipolar Medicine Articles then it is likely you're taking lithium. It is the most prescribed drug for those living with this illness, and it's not even a drug - it's a mineral salt. Lithium is so popular because it's effective at treating both depression and mania. It's also been clinically shown to reduce the instance of suicide among individuals living with bipolar disorder.

Lithium is a natural mineral salt, but that doesn't mean it doesn't come with potentially dangerous side effects. These potential problems include digestion issues, weight gain, urinary control limits, potential kidney damage, slowed thinking, chronic tiredness and sometimes tremors.

Lithium can also be toxic at too high of a dose, so it's important to only take your recommended dosage and to see your doctor often so you can have your blood levels monitored for lithium levels. High lithium levels can be toxic, damaging the thyroid and the kidney.

Depakote

Divalproex sodium is the generic name for Depakote, an anti-seizure medication typically prescribed for people living with bipolar disorder. The drug is effective at treating mania and preventing manic episodes, but does little to counteract depression and therefore must be prescribed in conjunction with an antidepressant. Common side effects include hair loss, fertility issues for women, weight gain and high toxicity in the pancreas and liver.

Lamictal Antidepressant

Lamictal is a drug designed to reduce the frequency of manic and depression cycles. It also has strong antidepressant properties and, its main attraction is that it's not associated with weight gain. Possible side effects include skin reactions, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches.

Tegretol

Tegretol is typically used as an anti-manic drug, though it's not very effective at treating depression. Common side effects include liver problems, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea and it's also known to reduce the efficacy of birth control pills.

Trileptal

Like Tegretol, Trileptal is used to control episodes of mania. However, it's not as effective as Tegretol. That said, the side effects are drastically reduced and not as damaging to the liver as Tegretol. If you're using oral contraceptives, be aware that Trileptal can interfere with their efficacy.

Topomax for Weight Control

Typically, Topomax prescriptions are used along with other drugs for bipolar disease. Its main function is to prevent the increase of weight, and in fact often results in a decrease. But it can have some unintended impacts that include slower mental capacity, a sense of feeling a bit spacey, and general inattentiveness. Benefits of oral contraceptives are disrupted as well.

Zyprexa

Zyprexa is a drug that's often prescribed to people living with bipolar disorder as part of their medications, but it's mainly used as an anti-psychotic drug and is very powerful. It's available in a generic form known as olanzapine.