what kind of medications are used for bi-polar disorder?

Question

i have bi-polar disorder and i want to do some studying on the diffrent medications i can take.

Answer 1

Several types of medication can be useful in treating bipolar disorder. They are all in the broad category of "psychotropic agents," which means that they affect brain chemicals. Each "class" or type of medication affects the body differently.

1. Mood stabilizers
These are used to treat episodes of both mania and depression. Mood stabilizers may also be taken during normal periods to help prevent new episodes. (This is what's known as "maintenance therapy.") Mood stabilizers may require 2-3 weeks to take effect.

2. Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants can help relieve symptoms of mania, and may also be used as a maintenance therapy to prevent new episodes of mania and depression. They are sometimes prescribed along with a mood stabilizer. They usually begin working within 2-3 weeks.

3. Antipsychotics
These medications (also called neuroleptics) may be prescribed to treat acute mania. They are often used when a person is experiencing hallucinations or delusions. Antipsychotics begin working quickly, and reach their full effect after several weeks.

4. Antidepressants
Antidepressants are used to treat symptoms of depression, like sadness, hopelessness, and poor concentration. They are sometimes prescribed along with mood stabilizers, since on their own they can trigger mania, or rapid cycling between mania and depression. Antidepressants usually take effect in about three weeks.

5. Other medications
Anti-anxiety medications can provide immediate relief from acute mania, stress, or insomnia. They begin to work within an hour, so they are a good choice in an emergency. These medications are only used in the short term because they can be addictive.

Answer 2

There are several medicines that can be taken. Some are for other things, but can be used for Bipolar. I take Depakote, Risperdal, Remeron, Ativan, Lexapro, Lamictal and Seroquel. There are a ton more. these are just some ideas to go by. Go have a look at webmd and you can look up the prescriptions. Good Luck

Answer 3

there are a lot of medicine for bi polar affliction-generally one is began > on a temper stabiliser, like lithium, the previous stand via. initially, lots of > those temper stabilisers have been first used to steer away from seizures in epileptics, > yet in addition they have temper stablising outcomes. Valproic acid is generally used > in epilepsy, yet is extensively utilized for the treatment of bipolar affliction, > exceedingly acute mania. There are 2 styles of this: valproic acid > (Depakote) and the slightly greater high priced divalproex sodium style, > (Depakene). Then there is carbamazepine (Tegretol). different greater moderen drugs used > for anticonvulsants/temper stabilisers contain drugs that are GABA > stimulators: Neurontin (gabapentin), valproic acid (mentioned till now), > Gabatril (tiagabine), Sabril (vigabatrin), and quite a few others. GABA > stimulators have a tendency to reason sleepiness. The anticonvlulsants that inhibit > glutamate have a tendency to reason stimulation and stress. drugs in this > catagory contain Felbatol (felbamate), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Topamax > (topiramate), and quite a few others. now and back greater beneficial than one anticonvulsant > is used. > Then there are the antipsychotics, like Zyprexa (olanzapine). Then there > are the benzodiazepines, like Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, etc. which help > cut back stress. Klonopin additionally has anticonvulsant movements, so this may well be > the final selection among the benzo. drugs. > now and back an anticonvulsant is blended with an antidepressant, mutually with > Effexor (venlafaxine), or Wellbutrin (bupropion). i've got study of a few human beings > that have mentioned Effexor worked o.k. for a mutually as, then that they had a > manic-episode mutually as on it, so that they had to provide up taking it.

Answer 4

lithium is by far the best!

the manic depressive brain is like a block of swiss cheese and when you take the lithium it plugs up the holes and begins sifting out

taken on a regular basis, the holes stay pretty well plugged up

it is neccessary to have one's lithium level checked periodically to make sure it is at it's maximum effectiveness

it does take at least 90 days or more to adapt to the lithium regime

you will find yourself drinking inordinate amounts of water; because lithium is a salt---and because of this: expect a weight gain

there is a time released lithium that is about 5X more expensive than the regular lithium; obviously, if you can afford it the time released is better, because the holes stay plugged up

another medication is: valproic acid