There are several types of medications that are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. You may find that you are on only a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic to control your moods. The common types of medications used to treat both bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 include:
- Mood stabilizers: These medications help to stabilize mood and prevent episodes of mania or depression. Examples of mood stabilizers include lithium, valproic acid (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal).
- Antipsychotics: These medications are often used to treat manic episodes in bipolar disorder. They can also be used as maintenance therapy to prevent future episodes. Examples of antipsychotics used to treat bipolar disorder include aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and risperidone (Risperdal), although this is not a complete list.
- Antidepressants: These medications are used to treat depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. However, they are usually used in combination with a mood stabilizer to prevent the risk of triggering a manic episode. Examples of antidepressants used in bipolar disorder include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), and other types of drugs such as bupropion (Wellbutrin).
- Benzodiazepines: These medications are sometimes used to treat anxiety and insomnia associated with bipolar disorder. Examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
It is important to note that medication treatment for bipolar disorder is highly individualized, and the medication and dosage that works best can vary from person to person. It is important to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate medication and dosage for an individual’s specific needs, and to monitor for potential side effects.