Best Bipolar Medication

The Best Bipolar Medication.

While the treatments for bipolar disorder, or manic depression as it was previously called, have evolved over the years, the search for the best bipolar medication continues. At this point in time, most people with bipolar disorder are treated with more than one medication rather than a single specific medication. Historically, the best medication for bipolar disorder is lithium. This naturally occurring salt was first discovered to be an effective medication for bipolar disorder in 1949, and was approved by the Food and Drug Commission for use as a bipolar medication in 1970. Lithium is a mood stabilizer, which makes it the first line of defense as a medication for bipolar disorder. Although lithium is considered the best bipolar medication as a starting point, it is not usually effective without the use of other medications. In addition to lithium, those with bipolar disorder are often treated with anticonvulsant drugs such as depakote, tegretal, lamictal, and trileptal. Although these are medications intended to treat seizure disorders, they have been determined to be effective medications for some people with bipolar disorder.

A third type of medication used to treat bipolar disorder is the antipsychotic drug. These are mood stabilizing drugs, which are effective because they balance the neurotransmitters in the brain, causing mood stabilization. Antipsychotic drugs include abilify, clorazil, geodon, risperdal, seroquel and zyprexa. This class of drug is an excellent choice as the best bipolar medication. One class of medication that is not a best choice for those with bipolar disorder is the antidepressant. Antidepressants may push the person into a manic episode, or cause rapid cycling of the person's moods. Therefore, antidepressants are not the best bipolar medication.

If a person with bipolar disorder is given antidepressants, they should be monitored closely. Lamictal, lithium and valproate are used as maintenance medications for those with bipolar disorder, although other medications may be used for this purpose as well. The most important information for the person with bipolar disorder to remember is that, even if they have not experienced an episode recently, they must maintain the medication regimen established by their physician. There is not one best bipolar medication, because the combination that is effective for one patient may not be effective for another. The best bipolar medication is that which alleviates the symptoms of the disorder.