What drugs have worked best for bipolar folks

Question

What drugs have worked best for bipolar folks

Answer 1

I'm still trying to figure that one out for myself!

Answer 2

listen to nobody.  The only way to know is to try them, it can take a week or years to find your combo.  

Answer 3

Lithium is usually the first choice.  Some people cannot tolerate Lithium so doctors usually go with something like Depakote and/or a combination of medications.

Answer 4

it depends on how you cycle.  If you are a rapid cycler an anti depressant and mood stabilizer would be best (Lamictal and Wellbutrin)  I have heard that Depakote works well, but you have to be committed to getting blood work done every 3 months to make sure you do not have too much in your system.

Despite what you may be reading lithium is NOT the first choice.  It can be very helpful and life changing, however it requires lab work and there is a narrow therapeutic range.  Going over this range can cause Lithium toxicity, which can be fatal depending on how much is in your blood.  a low salt diet, diarrhea, vomiting can ALL cause lithium toxicity.

Answer 5

lithium

Answer 6

i heard lilthium

Answer 7

What has worked best for me was: Lithium and Wellbutrin.  BUT I started having problems with my thyroid when I was on Lithium so they had to switch my meds to Tegretol and Wellbutrin.

DO NOT TAKE ZYPREXA!!!!!! I took this my senior year of high school and gained 15 lbs in 2 weeks and BARELY fit into my Prom dress. I was devastated!

It is VERY important to have the blood work done on a regular basis as advised by your doctor.  

Answer 8

My mommy has bi polar disorder for many years and she has been on Lithium Carbonate for most of that time

Answer 9

depending on the degree of the disorder,

celexa is something that is used for older people over 21,

effexor, mostly this is for panic and anxiety associated with the disorder.

risperdone-this is a very intense one,

clonazepam- to stop the mind from overthinking

lithium- works on select few, but classified as a miracle drug,

these are just a select few,

Answer 10

Most people take a few things.  Usually a mood stabilizer.  Lithium is a mood stabilizer that has taken a backseat to lamictal and depokote, mostly to the narrow therapeutic range, and dietary restrictions.  If anxiety is a component and it is for most, then an anti-anxiety med is taken like ativan, xanex, klonopin, and usually not valium.  If a person has psychotic features or is schizoaffective, then an antipsychotic is used, usually risperdal and this isn't that strong it is given to 6 yr old 50 lb kids, or seroquel is insomnia is an issue.  If a bipolar person is predominantly depressed, or has mixed episodes then sometimes an antidepressant is used, usually an atypical like wellbutrin or SSRI (paxil, zoloft, prozac, luvox, lexapro) or SNRI (effexor).  I don't care for antidepressants for bipolar patients, it causes mania, and rapid cycling in my opinion