| Treating bipolar disease is usually accomplished | | | | bipolar medication known as Valproate is often |
| through a bipolar medication such as antidepressants, | | | | prescribed. |
| anticonvulsants and antipsychotic meds used in | | | | In some cases, antipsychotic drugs such as Clozaril |
| combination or alone. Such medications may also be | | | | have been used as a preventative treatment in some |
| coupled with psychotherapy to provide optimum | | | | bipolar patients, though it tends to cause a rapid heart |
| results. | | | | rate, hypotension, weight gain and constipation. |
| Because bipolar disorder, also known as bipolar | | | | Risperdal is also a common antipsychotic medication |
| disease or depression, is so difficult to identify and | | | | that has been successful when used in low doses, and |
| treat, it's important to know that the disease can strike | | | | since 2004, it has become the drug of choice in a vast |
| any gender or age group. Normal high and low | | | | number of bipolar patients. Side effects associated |
| moments are experienced on a daily basis by millions | | | | with Risperdal are mild compared to the side effects |
| of Americans every day, but bipolar disorder takes | | | | of other bipolar medication choices used in the past. |
| such feelings to an extreme. Ongoing and recurring | | | | Another antipsychotic drug known as Zyprexa, used in |
| episodes of both depression and happiness are often | | | | combination with lithium or valproate for severe manic |
| the first signs of the disorder, coupled with extreme | | | | episodes, may cause low blood pressure and |
| feelings on both ends of the spectrum. | | | | dizziness. Another very common antipsychotic known |
| Mood stabilizing agents are the most common types | | | | as Seroquel has a long-term mood stabilizing affect, |
| of bipolar medication treatments. Antidepressants such | | | | while its side effects may include dizziness and |
| as Lithium, Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil and Valium are | | | | elevated blood sugar levels. |
| used to treat various levels of depression and offer | | | | Most bipolar medication antidepressants may cause |
| mood-stabilizing benefits, though in some cases, they | | | | manic episodes in those suffering from bipolar disorder, |
| can cause mania. For more severe episodes, Haldol or | | | | so they are used only on a short-term basis. More |
| Thorazine are used to control mania. However, such | | | | often, the class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin |
| drugs as Haldol and Thorazine, known as neuroeptics, | | | | reuptake Inhibitors, more commonly known as SSRI's, |
| can cause side effects such as muscle spasms, | | | | are prescribed, and include such drugs as the |
| difficulty speaking and tremors. | | | | aforementioned Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil anti-anxiety |
| Lithium is the most commonly prescribed bipolar | | | | drugs. |
| medication and is used for ongoing treatment, though | | | | The most important aspect of treating bipolar disorder |
| its full effects may not be experienced for weeks, and | | | | is to first recognize the symptoms of the disease and |
| sometimes, months. Lithium is also the oldest drug used | | | | seek treatment. A doctor will decide which medication |
| to treat bipolar disorder. It may take four to ten days | | | | is right for each individual. However, it's good to know |
| to achieve a therapeutic level within the bloodstream, | | | | that bipolar medication is available which may aid |
| and is not as effective on 'rapid-cyclers', or those who | | | | thousands of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder to |
| experience frequent and chronic episodes of | | | | live relatively happy, normal lives. |
| depression coupled with mania. For 'rapid-cyclers', a | | | | |