what medicines are used to treat bi-polar disorder?

Question

my family doctor put me on lexapro(anti depressant) and I used paxil before-but they dont help with my rage...what meds can help me?

Answer 1

You have to understand that not all medications work for all patients. What works for me, may not work for you, and so forth. Also changes to the treatment plan may be needed at various times during the course of bipolar disorder to manage the illness most effectively. A psychiatrist should guide any changes in type or dose of medication. Be sure to tell the psychiatrist about all other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or natural supplements you may be taking. This is important because certain medications and supplements taken together may cause adverse reactions


* Lithium, the first mood-stabilizing medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of mania, is often very effective in controlling mania and preventing the recurrence of both manic and depressive episodes.

* Anticonvulsant medications, such as valproate (Depakote®) or carbamazepine (Tegretol®), also can have mood-stabilizing effects and may be especially useful for difficult-to-treat bipolar episodes. Valproate was FDA-approved in 1995 for treatment of mania.

* Newer anticonvulsant medications, including lamotrigine (Lamictal®), gabapentin (Neurontin®), and topiramate (Topamax®), are being studied to determine how well they work in stabilizing mood cycles.

Anticonvulsant medications may be combined with lithium, or with each other, for maximum effect.

*Atypical antipsychotic medications, including clozapine (Clozaril®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), risperidone (Risperdal®), quetiapine (Seroquel®), and ziprasidone (Geodon®), are being studied as possible treatments for bipolar disorder. Evidence suggests clozapine may be helpful as a mood stabilizer for people who do not respond to lithium or anticonvulsants.

*If insomnia is a problem, a high-potency benzodiazepine medication such as clonazepam (Klonopin®) or lorazepam (Ativan®) may be helpful to promote better sleep. However, since these medications may be habit-forming, they are best prescribed on a short-term basis. Other types of sedative medications, such as zolpidem (Ambien®), are sometimes used instead.

Answer 2

With many bi-polar disorders a combination is proscribed, of an anti-depressant and something to overcome the imbalance.

Manic depression is typically caused by a Lithium imbalance in the brain so different doses of lithium are proscribed until a balance is reached.

Anti depressants are used to merely even out your moods. Numb your mind so to speak so that the swings are more easily ignored.

Answer 3

Here's a list with generic name first and brand name in parentheses: aripiprazole (Abilify), clonazepam (Klonopin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), ziprasidone (Geodon) and both lithium citrate and lithium carbonate (both are used to treat mania). As for what meds can help you, you would have to trial one and see. It may take several trials to find the most effective med and the therapeutic doasge for you.

This list is of meds specific to bi-polar disorder. There are other non-specific meds that are used in combinations. I wish you great success with this.

Answer 4

Most people will get an antidepressant, combined with a mood stabilizer (like lithium), anticonvulsant (like Depakote), or antipsychotic (like Zyprexa).
I couldn't tell you what works the best, as each person reacts to each medication differently.

It is unusual for a person with Bipolar to only be prescribed an antidepressant. In Bipolar, antidepressants can trigger a manic episode if one of the mood stabilizers isn't also prescribed.

Answer 5

Get a second opinion from a psychiatrist that specializes in mood disorders. I'd guess that if you were misdiagnosed as paranoid schiz, the bipolar is not so mild. Yes, meds are necessary. Bipolar is a progressive illness without them. What is "mild" today will become more severe in the future without them.

Answer 6

Psychgrad has a wise answer. Also go to www.remedyfind.com to see what other regular people with your condition are taking and what they think of it. Definitely, an anti-depressant is not enough.

Answer 7

A friend of mine who has bi-polar disorder takes lithium. But I wouldn't take it because it builds up in your system because it is a heavy metal.

Answer 8

Try antidepressant called "Tazepam", It really works..personally experienced the positive effects of this medicine

Answer 9

I'm familiar with Lithium and Zyprexa

Answer 10

Focalin helps
and so does Effexor