Topic 9: Bipolar Disorders

medication for bipolar disorders

mood stabilizer (& mood stabilizing anti-epileptic drugs)

example of mood stabilizer

lithium carbonate

lithium carbonate (mood stabilizer) complications

• Gi distress

• fine hand tremors (expected)

• polyuria

• weight gain

• renal toxicity

• electrolyte imbalances

• toxicity

lithium toxicity symptoms

• confusion

• course tremors

• tinnitus

• hypotension

• coma

• possibly death

lithium carbonate (mood stabilizer) toxic levels

>1.5

lithium carbonate (mood stabilizer) interactions

• diuretics

• NSAIDs

• anticholinergics

lithium carbonate (mood stabilizer) interaction with diuretics

decreases amount of sodium & likelihood of toxicity

lithium carbonate (mood stabilizer) interaction with NSAIDs

increases renal absorption & leads to toxicity

example of mood stabilizing anti-epileptic drugs

carbamazepine & valproic acid

carbamazepine & valproic acid (mood stabilizing anti-epileptic) complications

• blood dyscrasias

• double vision

• nystagmus

• hypo-osmality

blood dyscrasias

• leukopenia

• anemia

• thrombocytopenia

valproic acid (mood stabilizing anti-epileptic) complications

• GI effects

• hepatotoxicity

• pancreatitis

• thrombocytopenia