Due to the fact that over 2 million American adults have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the medical profession has sought out medications to relieve patients. Currently, there are three types of medications used to help control the symptoms of this disorder, with the understanding that the purpose for these medications are symptom relief and not to cure. There are generally three types of medications that fall under this category: mood stabilizers, antidepressants and anti-psychotics.
The first of these medications are mood stabilizers such as Lithium, Divalproex, and Carbamazepine. These medications help to bring about relief from occurrences of depression and mania and to boost the patient's mood.
Antidepressant medications are prescribed to help bring about relief from bouts of depression or mania. There are chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters which are essential for the brain to function normally. These medications, Wellbutrin, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft help bipolar patients by making these chemicals accessible to the brain. Antidepressants are sometimes used in conjunction with the mood stabilizers.
The third kind of medication used for bipolar patients are known as anti-psychotic drugs. These medications are used to control psychotic hallucinations or delusions. Zyprex, Seraquel, Risperdal, Clozaril, and Abilify are known as atypical medications. Older medications such as Haldol, Trilaton and Thorazine are used when the atypical medications are not effective. Due to the fact that Clozaril causes a major side effect where the patient has to be monitored with frequent blood tests, doctors will prescribe Seroquel or Zyprexa because they are more tolerated.
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