What Drugs Treat Bipolar Depression?

Lithium is one of the most common drugs prescribed to people who are struggling with bipolar disorder. It has been around the longest and is considered a very effective mood stabilizer. However, it’s most effective when taken with an antidepressant and it is not very effective for people who suffer from rapid cycling; it’s mostly for those who experience manic episodes. When Lithium is first taken it takes one to two weeks to take full effect.

Like all bipolar depression drugs it does have side effects. These include weight gain, tremors, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, vertigo, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, excessive thirst and excessive urination, thyroid problems and even memory and concentration problems.

People who take this particular bipolar depression drug also need to make sure that they get regular blood tests. Lithium doses that are too high can be toxic and your doctor will want to test you regularly for the first few weeks. After the correct dosage has been determined the blood tests only need to be done every two or three months after that.

Other Types Of Bipolar Depression Drugs

Another type of bipolar depression drug is called valproic acid. Given under the name Depakote usually, it’s extremely effective as a mood stabilizer even though they were first used as a treatment for epilepsy. This bipolar depression drug is used for people who suffer from rapid cycling, mixed mania or mania with hallucinations or delusions. It’s most often prescribed when someone is reacting too harshly to Lithium. This bipolar depression drug also has side effects like Lithium: dizziness, weight gain, drowsiness, tremor, nausea, and diarrhea.

A doctor may also prescribe an antidepressant as a bipolar depression drug. Their use has become very controversial lately as doctors are beginning to doubt their effectiveness. Evidence suggests that antidepressants don’t work as well in treating bipolar depression. In fact, in some cases antidepressants can actually trigger mania in some people with bipolar disorder who are not also taking a bipolar depression drug like Lithium or another mood stabilizer. And there is mounting evidence that antidepressants can even increase a person’s mood cycling over time because they seem to have a destabilizing effect.

It’s also extremely important that the bipolar depression drugs you are prescribed be taken on time! Missing doses consistently undermines the drug’s effectiveness and makes taking any bipolar depression drugs at all a complete waste of time. Keep track of all of the side-effects you experience as well; if they are severe enough your doctor may want to switch you to a different drug.

Dealing with depression is hard but it can be done.