Maintenance Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
cont. from
After remission from an acute episode, a person is at
high risk of relapse
for about six months. Thus, maintenance (ongoing) therapy is often recommended.
Anyone who has experienced two to three episodes of bipolar disorder is
considered a long-term -- if not lifetime -- bipolar patient. That person should
have maintenance therapy. Once your doctor has helped stabilize the moods of the
acute phase of the disorder (either a manic or depressive episode), drug therapy
is continued indefinitely -- often at lower doses.
It is important to remember this: Even if you have been without bipolar
symptoms for several months, do not stop taking your medications. Your doctor
may lower your doses, but discontinuation of medications will put you at risk
for recurrence of bipolar symptoms.
Lamictal and
lithium are the only two drugs that have been
approved specifically for
maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder. However,
many other drugs used to treat manic episodes are also used for maintenance
treatment.
These drugs include:
A combination of these drugs may also be used.
Lamictal
Lamictal was recently approved by the FDA for the maintenance treatment of
adults with bipolar disorder. It has been found to help delay bouts of
depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed episodes in those being treated with
standard therapy. It is especially effective in the maintenance treatment of
bipolar depression. It is the first FDA-approved therapy since lithium for
maintenance in bipolar disorder.
Lamictal is considered a mood-stabilizing anticonvulsant and is most commonly
prescribed to prevent or control seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. Recent
studies have shown it may possess antidepressant effects in bipolar disorder;
therefore, the FDA approved it for maintenance treatment.
Lamictal Side Effects
The drug most often comes in chewable form. It adds to the effects of other
central nervous system suppressants such as alcohol -- and to those found in
many antihistamines, cold medications, pain medications, and muscle relaxants.
Check with your doctor before taking any of these.
Three out of every 1,000 people taking this medication will develop a rash.
Sometimes the rash can prove serious or even fatal. If a rash develops, this
medication should be stopped immediately.
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Dream abnormalities
- Itching
- Vision difficulties
Medication errors have occurred in filling
Lamictal prescriptions because
other medications have similar names, like Lamisil, lamivudine, Ludiomil,
labetalol, and Lomotil. To avoid confusion, make sure the drug name is clearly
written on your prescription.
continue: Lithium for Bipolar
Maintenance Treatment
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Reviewed: 04/2006
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